Socioethical and Sociopolitical Reflections on the Application of Gene Technology in Developing Countries

Abstract

Many different effects of modern bio- and gene technology on the social, economic and ecological situation of developing countries are forecast. Gene technology should provide a solution to or at least reduce critical problems in these countries. At the same time, there is a real concern that broad application of the new techniques by protagonists in industrial countries will further widen the technological and economic divide between the “first” and the “third” worlds. The extent to which it is thought gene technology may influence future relationships with developing countries is illustrated by the discussion during the UNO Environmental Conference in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. In particular, the resolution on biological diversity passed by the conference included the question of fair cooperation between industrial and developing countries in the area of bio- and gene technology and the sociological and environmental compatibility of novel uses of genetic resources arising from the methodology.