This is good for multiple reasons:
1. No need to waste multiple toons having Biochem for raiding purposes (some people have 22 toons and 17 of those toons were biochem for the re-usables)
2. Now 16 of those 17 Biochem toons can now retrain a gathering skill (see Archeology, Scavaging, Underworld Trading, Treasure Hunting).
3. Once that gathering skill is trained my companions can now go gather other mats instead of being "dead end" crafters.
4. More people doing this equals more mats.
5. More people farming mats equal more mats on the GTN.
6. More mats on the GTN equals lower mats prices.
7. Do I need to continue with this Supply and Demand example?