Regulations on Biotechnological Research and Biologically Modified Products

Abstract

The developments in biotechnology have brought not only benefits but also harms to society. On the one hand, the biotechnologically modified products has rapidly changed our lifestyle, but on the other hand, they could also endanger the ecosystem due to their reproduction and novel characteristics, and raise sharp debate over social values, including moral and religious values, and ethical standards. These rapid developments and problems of biotechnology posed a significant challenge to policymakers. E.g., are current regulations enough? Or do we need more regulations for biotechnological experiments and the development of genetically modified products because of their potential negative impacts? After comparing the advantages (such as the avoidance of the negative and special influences of biotechnology, and the solution of market failure and social injustice) and disadvantages (such as economic loss, government failure, and violation of social justice and freedom of scientific experiments), this research addressed that more and specified regulations are necessary. However, the scope of regulations ¡V or how much control the government should have in scientific development ¡V should be reasonably limited to give consideration to the independence of scientific fields, and economic developments. First, the regulations of biotechnological experiments should be looser than those of genetically modified products because of the different substantial impacts on consumers, and the respect of the freedom of speech (or research). Second, more participation of the general public will help to avoid the professionals¡¦ and governments¡¦ arbitrary decisions. Third, the regulations of ¡§Physical Risks¡¨ and ¡§Social Risks and Ethical Considerations¡¨ should be different because their influences are varified.