Title: Latin American biosafety regulatory framework

Authors: Jose Luis Solleiro, Amanda Galvez

Addresses: Centro de Ciencias Aplicadas y Desarrollo Tecnologico -UNAM, Circuito de la Investigacion Cientifica, C.U. 04510, Mexico. Dept. Alimentos y Biotecnologia, Facultad de Quimica-UNAM, Edif. ''E'' Lab. 312, C.U. 04510, Mexico

Abstract: Biotechnology is viewed as a second biological revolution at the turn of the century leading to research applications in various spheres of human activity ranging from farming and health to environmental protection to mining. All these have economic implications. Developing countries, such as the Latin American countries, have problems translating research results into applications leading to products, processes and services. The weak and inherently regulatory policies of these countries mostly promote scientific rather than industrial developments. This paper attempts to give an overview of the biosafety regulations within the framework of biotechnology policies for some Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico. The inadequacies of these policies are pointed out and suggestions for future developments in this area are given.

Keywords: biosafety; developing countries; Latin America; biotechnology regulations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBT.2002.002105

International Journal of Biotechnology, 2002 Vol.4 No.4, pp.306-320

Published online: 20 Jul 2003 *

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