a method is disclosed for the generation of bone tissue by the preparation and the application to bone defect sites of a resorbable silica - calcium phosphate bioactive composite that finds utility as a bone tissue engineering scaffold . the resorbable silica - calcium phosphate bioactive composite can be applied directly to bone defect or can be employed as a bioactive coating on implants to facilitate bone growth around the implant . the resorbable silica - calcium phosphate bioactive composite is prepared from a mixture of a silica salt in an amount to provide between about 0 . 31 moles and about 0 . 93 moles of silica and calcium phosphate , said silica salt being present in the resorbable silica - calcium phosphate bioactive composite . the mixture is thermally treated at a temperature ranging between about 130 ° c . to about 1200 ° c . to form said resorbable silica - calcium phosphate bioactive composite having a phase composition comprising a thermally treated form of silica and calcium phosphate .