The Politics of Biotechnology in North America and Europe: Policy Networks, Institutions and Internationalization

by Montpetit, Éric Montpetit, Éric, Christine Rothmayr, Varone, Frédéric Varone, Frédéric, Éric Montpetit, Frédéric Varone

Overview

Biotechnology is one of the most important new issues to emerge in the knowledge economy. The Politics of Biotechnology in North America and Europe provides analysts with a perspective on policy-making in scientifically advanced countries that integrate the insights of several approaches and that display a particular sensitivity to the complexity of policy-making conjectures. This perspective allows going beyond the simplistic understandings of biotechnology policy currently prevailing. This volume provides a rigorous analysis and detailed information on biotechnology policy in nine countries. The essays included here present the results of in-depth empirical research in the area of biomedicine and agro-food biotechnology. The book is, therefore, not only of interest to policy-makers and policy analysts, but also to anyone with an interest in biotechnology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739112489
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	12/20/2006
Series:	Studies in Public Policy Series
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.82(w) x 9.03(h) x 1.04(d)

About the Author

Ýric Montpetit is associate professor of political science at the University of Montreal. Christine Rothmayr is assistant professor of political science at the University of Montreal. Frédéric Varone is professor of political science at the University of Geneva.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Comparing Biotechnology Policy in Europe and North America: A Theoretical Framework Chapter 2 Trade and Human Rights: Inter- and Supranational Regulation of ART and GM Food Chapter 3 Different Paths to the Same Result: Explaining Permissive Policies in the USA Chapter 4 The Canadian Knowledge Economy in the Shadow of the United Kingdom and the United States Chapter 5 A Contrast of Two Sectors in the British Knowledge Economy Chapter 6 Policy Mediation of Tensions Regarding Biotechnology in France Chapter 7 ART and GMO Policies in Germany: Effect of Mobilization, Issue-Coupling, and Europeanization Chapter 8 Accommodation, Bureaucratic Politics, and Supranational Leviathan: ART and GMO Policy-Making in the Netherlands Chapter 9 Conflict and Consensus in Belgian Biopolicies: GMO Controversy versus Biomedical Self-Regulation Chapter 10 ARTs and GM's in Sweden: Explaining the Differences in Policy Design Chapter 11 Switzerland: Direct Democracy and Non-EU Membership—Different Institutions, Similar Policies Chapter 12 Regulating ART and GM's in Europe and North America: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis

Editorial Reviews

Two of the most prominent applications of biotechnology assisted reproductive technology and genetic modification of plants have stirred strong feelings and led to widely varying approaches among North American and European countries. Nor are states always consistent, they might be restrictive on GM's but permissive of ARTs. In a systematic comparison of these two policy areas, this book adds greatly to our understanding. Theoretically well-informed and methodologically sophisticated, the authors show how different patterns of networks, national institutions, and international regimes explain policy outcomes. In providing this analysis, they challenge common assumptions about an "Atlantic divide" and the importance of EU institutions over nation-state ones. Policy scholars working in all policy areas will find much to learn from this book.

William D. Coleman