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Towards Good Governance on Dual-Use Biotechnology for Global Sustainable Development

Author

Listed:
  • Yang Xue

    (Law School, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
    Center for Biosafety Research and Strategy, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Hanzhi Yu

    (School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Geng Qin

    (School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

Abstract

Dual-use biotechnology faces the risks of availability, novel biological agents, knowledge, normative, and other dual-use risks. If left unchecked, these may destroy human living conditions and social order. Despite the benefits of dual-use technology, good governance is needed to mitigate its risks. The predicaments facing all governments in managing the dual-use risks of biotechnology deserve special attention. On the one hand, the information asymmetry risk of dual-use biotechnology prevents the traditional self-governance model in the field of biotechnology from playing its role. On the other hand, top-down public regulation often lags behind technological iteration due to the difficulty of predicting the human-made risks of dual-use biotechnology. Therefore, we argue that governance of the dual-use risks of biotechnology should avoid the traditional bottom-up or top-down modes. We suggest the governance for dual-use biotechnology could be improved if the four-stage experimentalist governance model is followed. The first stage is to achieve consensus on a broad governance framework with open-ended principles. The second stage is for countries to take action based on local conditions and the open-ended framework. The third stage is to establish a dynamic consultation mechanism for transnational information sharing and action review. The fourth and final stage is to evaluate and revise the global governance framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang Xue & Hanzhi Yu & Geng Qin, 2021. "Towards Good Governance on Dual-Use Biotechnology for Global Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:14056-:d:706632
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Brendan Maher, 2012. "Bird-flu research: The biosecurity oversight," Nature, Nature, vol. 485(7399), pages 431-434, May.
    2. Masaki Imai & Tokiko Watanabe & Masato Hatta & Subash C. Das & Makoto Ozawa & Kyoko Shinya & Gongxun Zhong & Anthony Hanson & Hiroaki Katsura & Shinji Watanabe & Chengjun Li & Eiryo Kawakami & Shinya , 2012. "Experimental adaptation of an influenza H5 HA confers respiratory droplet transmission to a reassortant H5 HA/H1N1 virus in ferrets," Nature, Nature, vol. 486(7403), pages 420-428, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ya-Feng Zhang & Tara Qian Sun, 2022. "The Interaction of Biotechnology and Institution: A Stakeholder Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, June.

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