ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the industry as it now exists and sketches out what seem to be the major determinants of location over the foreseeable future. It begins with a description of the technology itself and its implications for location and land use. The chapter discusses the current pattern of capital formation in the industry. This pattern has important implications for the location of production facilities as the technology moves out of the laboratory and into actual production. The chapter reports on current location patterns within the industry. It includes data on the entire US as well as data obtained from key informants within California biotechnology firms. The chapter ties this together by drawing some implications for industrial location theory and policy. The technology is less hazardous than originally perceived and is not likely to experience a repulsive push away from populated areas.
