Britain to review bioscience regulation
RTw 17.12.98 15:01
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LONDON, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Britain on Thursday launched a
sweeping review into the existing arrangements for regulating
developments in biotechnology and genetic modification.
Jack Cunningham, minister for the cabinet office, said the
review, to be conducted by officials from his department and the
Office of Science and Technology, will examine the way expert
advice is provided to the government.
The review was launched two days after the government announced
it was calling in opinion pollsters to consult the public on
whether there should be new rules governing the fast-developing
field of biosciences.
That was prompted by signs of failing confidence in how the
government regulates controversial areas such as cloning, genetic
testing and genetically modified crops.
"A complex framework of regulatory and advisory bodies is
already in place to advise the government on the technology and
to regulate new biotechnology products and processes before they
enter into use," Cunningham said in a statement.
"We have decided to carry out a thorough review of this
framework in order to be sure that the government is receiving
the best possible advice," he added.
He invited everyone with an interest in biotechnology to
contribute their views before the end of January, with a view to
publishing its recommendations in the spring.
One key element of the review will be to consider whether ethical
issues are addressed sufficiently under the existing regime, and
to assess the level of public support in government regulations.
Earlier this week, science minister Lord (David) Sainsbury said
the government suspected the public needed greater reassurance .
"There is a lack of confidence in the regulatory
system," he said, acknowledging that public concern had been
sparked by the crisis over BSE (mad cow disease) in Britain,
currently being investigated by a public inquiry.
In October, Britain said it would allow commercial planting of
genetically modified (GM) crops to go ahead under a new framework
of strict controls.
The government said commercial planting of the crops would be
strictly limited and monitored for its ecological impact.
The decision went against the stand of English Nature, the
government's chief environmental adviser, which had recommended a
three-year moratorium on commercial planting to allow further
research into the possible harmful side-effects of GM crops.