Increasing ethical pressure (to restrict Biotech Research)

Description

One of the biggest hurdles for the Biotech Industry is to overcome the power of ethical pressure. This is currently mainly visible in the US, but in general ethical issues are of increasing concern. The problem is that many different interest groups are involved, e.g. religious groups and anti-abortion movements, supported by media “sensationalisms”. The Biotech Industry has started to take measures on their own, creating self regulating industry bodies. In other words, ethical pressure is not to underestimate.

Enablers

• Unsuccessful cloning involving human embryos
• Continued pressure from religious movements (especially in the US)
• Continued sensationalism in media
• Messing up subjects in the Media, i.e. not being able to make people understand biotech development invokes fear

Inhibitors

• Acceptance of GMO food
• Biotech gets a common theme (i.e. increased public knowledge)
• Self regulation of the industry
• Successful cure for certain deceases will improve the public opinion of biotrech research