The Estonian Genome Project and Economic Development
Rainer Kattel1 and Riivo Anton2
1Tallinn
Technical University, 2University of Tartu
Abstract. According to its
initiators, one of the objectives of the Estonian Genome Project (EGP), a
nation-wide health and DNA database launched in 2001, is to positively impact
Estonia’s economic development. This article asks
under which conditions can the EGP have such an effect. We argue that
knowledge-intensity of technological structure of the existing industry indicates,
first, degree of existence of local clusters of economic value-added,
and thus secondly, capacity to absorb technological development. Taken
together, third, this indicates competitiveness of an economy in terms of
ability to export and at the same time to raise real income (virtuous circles
of growth). We find that the technological structure of Estonia’s industry is
developing since mid-1990s towards less complexity, thus rendering locally
produced current and future high technology and knowledge (e.g. the EGP)
virtually without impact as far as economic development in Estonia is concerned
(and not the success of individual ventures). The article also explores the policy
options available that could remedy current situation.
[RK1]Jah tegemist on terminiga, lisandväärtus; jätab
ilma sidekriipsuta.