Policy Design to Exploit Potential Gains of Biotech

International agreements, intellectual property rights, and other aspects of the regulatory framework can help serve to "exploit potential gains while mitigating the risks of modern biotechnology."  James Roumasset, professor of the University of Hawaii, Manoa, discusses the tradeoffs and policy issues regarding the development and use of genetically modified crops in a paper " Policy overview on intellectual property rights".

Roumasset concludes that "capturing this potential in GM crop development will require going beyond the search for the perfect intellectual property design to streamlined regulatory frameworks that safeguard public health and manage environmental risks without unduly impeding welfare gains." He thus calls for publi-private partnerships throughout the laboratory, field study, regulatory approval, to commercial production continuum.

The full article is in "Recognizing What is Rightfully Yours: Intellectual Property Rights" published by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, Bioversity International, and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications. For information about this book email Sonny Tababa at spt@agri.agri.searca.org.