300015 Political regulation of science and technology in comparative perspective: the case of biotechnology (S) (WiSe 2005/2006)

The political system acts in many ways as a regulator of science and technology. One the one hand, (new) technologies are widely supported and funded by tax payer?s money through ministries for research funding programs or through scientific associations. On the other hand, science and technology are often inhibited by public policies that may restrict the use of new technologies (i.e. by authorization procedures), or even ban some technologies (e.g. cloning of human beings) in the name of higher good such as protection of the environment or public health. Legal restrictions are often employed with regard to so-called risk technologies due anticipated unintended effects on the environment or human health. In addition, policy-makers sometimes act as moderators or brokers for social self-regulation of science and technology (e.g. guidelines or public participation procedures).
Biotechnology in the agro-food sector as well as in the medical sector (biomedicine) is a good example for different regulatory strategies. Since the 1970s, regulatory biopolicies have been developed in many countries especially in the OECD world (above all in the European Union, United States, Japan). A cross-country comparison of biopolicies reveals interesting similarities as well as many differences in regulatory styles. What is the basis of these different philosophies of risk regulation and governance? How do these policies react to inherent uncertainties involved in the control of science and technology (e.g. the problem of uncertainty, precautionary principle). What policies have been developed and implemented? Who participates in the regulation of science and technology? In addition to the national level, supra- and international organizations such as the WTO, the UN, or the EU have become most active in the field of biotechnology regulation. The seminar will look into both field, ?green? and ?red? biotechnology as well as at different countries and regulatory regimes.

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Hinweis für Studierende des MA HPSS:
Eine Leistungsbescheinigung kann entweder für eine Hausarbeit, ein Referat (bzw. vergleichbare Leistung) oder eine aktive Teilnahme ausgestellt werden. Die Leistungspunkte (12 LP) werden erst nach Absolvierung aller Einzelleistungen der drei Lehrveranstaltungen des Moduls vergeben.

Requirements for participation, required level

Kenntnisse in europäischer Integration, Wissenschafts- und Technikforschung oder Public Policy sind erwünscht.

Bibliography

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• Abels, Gabriele/Braun, Kathrin/Kulawik, Teresa (Hg.), 2003: Geschlecht und Biomedizinpolitik. Vergleichende Perspektiven. Schwerpunktheft der Österreichischen Zeitschrift für Politikwissenschaft (ÖZP), 32 (2).
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