Abstract
More than any other aspect of society, biotechnology challenges legal institutions to address the special problems presented by this new technology. Both scientific and social factors control the development of law and the regulation of biotechnology in all nations. Further, events in one nation often effect responses in other nations. Society first recognizes, in an obscure way, the impact that a scientific development will have. Then society, through legal institutions, slowly forms a consensus on the necessary changes and begins to accommodate existing legal concepts to satisfy the needs presented by scientific development.
Because the guideposts and precedents in this area of the law are few, effecting change is both slow and difficult. In contrast, scientific developments occur relatively rapidly. Legal institutions face the formidable task of allowing the blossoming forth of an ordered scientific process while at the same time constructing safeguards which address both the environment and ethical concerns.
Although the United States is the leader in biotechnology research, most industrially developed and many developed nations have realized the importance of supporting national research. Japan and France have strong government support for biotechnology. Among the developing nations, Brazil and India also give strong governmental backing. Furthermore, the United Kingdom and Switzerland have superior industry involvement in biotechnology even though governmental support is relatively small.
Recommended Citation
Wershow, James S.
(1986)
"International Legal Ramifications of Biotechnology,"
Florida Journal of International Law: Vol. 1:
Iss.
2, Article 1.
Available at:
https://scholarship.law.ufl.edu/fjil/vol1/iss2/1