Genetic Engineering and the World Trade System

Daniel Wuger is a lecturer at the University of Bern, a senior research fellow at the Swiss Federal Office of Justice and a consultant to the NCCR International Trade Regulation project at the World Trade Institute, Bern. Thomas Cottier is Professor of European and International Economics Law at the University of Bern and Director of the Institute of European and International Economic Law. He is also Managing Director of the World Trade Institute.

• Part I. Introduction and Systemic Issues: 1. Introduction Daniel Wüger; 2. Genetic engineering, trade and human rights Thomas Cottier; 3. Gender dimensions of biotechnology policy and trade Constance Z. Wagner; Part II. Intellectual Property and Gene Technology - Issues at Stake and Possible Options: 4. Biotechnology and patents: global standards, European approaches and national accents Geertrui Van Overwalle; 5. Intellectual property rights, biotechnology and development Emmanuel Opoku Awuku; 6. Traditional knowledge, biogenetic resources, genetic engineering and intellectual property rights Federico Lenzerini; Part III. Food Security, Trade and Agricultural Production with Genetically Modified Organisms: 7. Biotechnology in the energy sector: some trade and development Simonetta Zarrilli; 8. Coexistence and liability: implications for international trade drawn from the Swiss example Anne Petitpierre-Sauvain; 9. Food security and agricultural production with genetically modified organisms: a comment Michael Hahn; Part IV. Food Safety, International Trade and Biotechnology: 10. Trade, environment and biotechnology: on coexistence and coherence Laurence Boisson de Chazournes and Makane Moise Mbenge; 11. Risk regulation, precaution and trade Franz Xaver Perrez; Part V. Medical Research, Cloning and International Trade: 12. Genetic engineering, free trade and human rights: global standards and local ethics Roger Brownsword; 13. The regulation of human genetics by international soft law and international trade Souheil El-Zein.

'… it is a fascinating read that delves deeply into the extremely complex and contentious issues surrounding how the transformative technology of genetic engineering is to be treated in domestic and international law. … Daniel Wüger and Thomas Cottier have assembled an impressive team of legal authors from academia, international organizations, and governments. Their knowledge is impressive and extensive. … I think this book should be read by anyone that has a serious interest in international issues surrounding biotechnology. … The issues are examined at considerable depth and complex arguments are presented.' William A. Kerr, University of Saskatchewan, Canada