Genetic Engineering And The World Trade System

This book explores the impact of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements on the use of biotechnology for commercial and non-commercial purposes. It examines whether current international obligations are sufficient to address the challenges posed by biotechnology and whether new legal instruments, such as a potential WTO Agreement on Biotechnology, are needed. The book covers various perspectives and topics related to genetic engineering and trade, including human rights, intellectual property rights, traditional knowledge, food security, and medical research. The contributors include experts from academia, international organizations, and governments. Overall, the book provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the complex and contentious issues surrounding the treatment of genetic engineering in domestic and international law.

While the WTO agreements do not regulate the use of biotechnology per se, their rules can have a profound impact on the use of the technology for both commercial and non-commercial purposes. This book seeks to identify the challenges to international trade regulation that arise from biotechnology. The contributions examine whether existing international obligations of WTO Members are appropriate to deal with the issues arising for the use of biotechnology and whether there is a need for new international legal instruments, including a potential WTO Agreement on Biotechnology. They combine various perspectives on and topics relating to genetic engineering and trade, including human rights and gender; intellectual property rights; traditional knowledge and access and benefit sharing; food security, trade and agricultural production and food safety; and medical research, cloning and international trade. Review: '... it is a fascinating read that delves deeply into the extremely complex and contentious issues surrounding how the transformative technology of genetic engineering is to be treated in domestic and international law... Daniel Wuger and Thomas Cottier have assembled an impressive team of legal authors from academia, international organizations, and governments. Their knowledge is impressive and extensive. ... I think this book should be read by anyone that has a serious interest in international issues surrounding biotechnology. ... The issues are examined at considerable depth and complex arguments are presented.' William A. Kerr, University of Saskatchewan '... the volume continuously presents very well drafted, knowledgeable and illuminative contributions. Anyone interested in world trade law and its bearing on modern biotechnology regulation will highly profit from reading the articles, which are still largely state of the art.' European Yearbook of International Economic Law