Few scientific developments have given rise to as much controversy as biotechnology. This book offers an overview of the connections between biotechnology, trade and sustainability. It addresses issues such as diffusion of technology, intellectual property rights, the Cartagena Protocol, and impacts of international trade.

Sustaining the new bioeconomy requires a global biotechnology governance regime to bring a large number of developing countries into the global trading system. Failure to do so will create a "genetic divide" among countries and is likely to intensify public opposition to biotechnology. This unique interdisciplinary collection of perspectives from the developing world on the debates over the relationships between biotechnology, biosafety, sustainable development and trade seeks to bridge the gap between the different areas of regulatory activities and academic research, and between the various stakeholders in the debate.