The United States is widely considered the global leader in the field of biotechnology, and these data support that perception. The United States is the priority country (i.e., the location of first patent application) for 57 percent of the internationally patented inventions created during the 1980-90 period. Japan follows with 20 percent, the United Kingdom with 9 percent, and West Germany with 8 percent. (See figure 6-24.)

When the total number of foreign applications associated with each country's genetic engineering technology is considered, the United States continues to lead all other countries in international patenting in this field. The United States had more foreign patents than the other six countries combined, accounting for nearly 60 percent of the 27,000 foreign patents. Comparing the 1986-90 period to the 1981-85 period, it appears that several other countries are gaining on the United States. The United States led in both halves of the decade, followed by Japan, but both countries' leads declined as West German, British, and French foreign patenting shares in this field grew comparatively more rapidly. (See text table 6-7.)

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