Research and trade in genetics: how countries should structure for the future

This article discusses the international trade issues that will underlie the institution of genetic research and technological regimes. As the biotechnology industry grows trade considerations will become paramount in structuring domestic regimes designed to limit or emphasise certain aspects of genetic research. As such, many countries will wish to maintain or enhance their comparative economic and strategic advantages vis-à-vis their trading partners. The international biotechnology climate will mature within the next fifteen to twenty years. Consequently, there will be an impetus towards conducting a multilateral trade round on genetic research and technology. The supposition is that this future trade round will be similar to the intellectual property negotiations at the Uruguay Round of the GATT. Countries that are willing to adopt regimes that are very conducive to genetic research will be better placed for the future.