SHOULD A BIOSAFETY PROTOCOL BE NEGOTIATED AS PART OF THE BIODIVERSITYCONVENTION

Developments in genetic engineering technology are outpacing the polic y debate, The Earth Summit failed in 1992 to create suitable internati onal controls on the safe handling, transfer and use of genetically ma nipulated organisms (GMOs). This paper presents the case that now, wit h the negotiations in the Convention on Biological Diversity consideri ng the need for and modalities of a biosafety protocol, it is time to set up a legally binding instrument. Most countries in the world have regulations, and there are real fears that countries in the developing world may be used as testing grounds for risky experiments. There is also a strong case for harmonizing the regulation of biotech at an int ernational level, if there is ever to be effective verification and po licing of the transfer and exchange of GMOs, Adding to the arguments f or the need for a protocol are the scientific uncertainties surroundin g the safety of environmental release of GMOs. However, given the appa rent magnitude of these scientific uncertainties, it is essential that a global protocol is not cast in a light which reinforces the seducti ve but misleading classical mode of risk assessment and management, an d its underlying epistemology.