Journal or Publishing Institution: Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics
Study: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023%2FA%3A1025616015955
Author(s): Myhr, A.I. and Traavik, T.
Article Type: Journal Publication
Record ID: 1702
Abstract: The main purpose of The Norwegian Gene Technology Act (1993) is to enforce containment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and control of GMO releases. Furthermore, the Act intends to ensure that production and use of GMOs should take place in an ethically and socially justifiable way,in accordance with the principle of sustainable development and without detrimental effects to health and the environment.” Hence it is obvious that, for the Norwegian authorities,sustainable development is a normative guideline when evaluating acceptable consequences of GMO use and production. In accordance with this, we have investigated the extent to which the sustainability criteria were decisive for the destiny of one approved and one declined application of genetically modified plant release. The present understanding of the ecological, socio-economical, and cultural consequences of GMO use and release is fragmentary and uncertain. We consider the Precautionary Principle and the notion of equitable distribution as key issues within the sustainable development framework, hence constituting important foundations for our analyses. The Act is legitimizing sustainability criteria, but does not seem to secure their conversion into concrete action.We envisage a more conscious implementation of the Norwegian Gene Technology Act. Sustainability concerns ecological, economical,and social values, and these can only been sured through long-term thinking, initiation of independent risk-associated research, and broad involvement of all stakeholders in the evaluation of GMO issues and concerns.
Keywords: Consensus Conferences, GMO Regulation, The Norwegian Gene Technology Act, The Notion of Equal Distribution, The Precautionary Principle, Public Perception, Scientific Uncertainty, Sustainable Development; Environmental Health, Genes, Genetic Engineering, Precautionary Principle, Transgenic Plants
Citation: Myhr, A.I. and Traavik, T., 2003. Sustainable development and Norwegian genetic engineering regulations: Applications, impacts, and challenges. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 16(4), pp.317-335.
