By John M. Seguin
Outline
Thesis statement: An international biosafety protocol should be created to establish and maintain control over the products designed with biotechnology.
I. The existing laws and regulations that govern the release of transgenic organisms are inadequate or nonexistent. A. The developed nations of the world are using regulations that were designed to control and monitor crops created with traditional technologies. B. Biotechnology is regulated by three different agencies. C. The undeveloped nations have virtually no regulations governing transgenic organisms. 1. This indicates that biotechnological research can and is being conducted in these countries without regulation. 2. There are many biotech companies based in developed countries that have branches or joint ventures around the world. II. The potential risks of transgenic organisms to the environment is still being determined. A. Some experts warn that there is a danger that biotechnology can create mutant hybrids. B. Biotechnology has the potential to harm the economies of some developing nations. C. The last and possible the most important argument for an international biosafety protocol is in the name of ignorance and caution III. The United States, Germany, Japan, and Australia are the only countries opposed to the biosafety protocol. IV. The need for a change in the world of agriculture is undeniable.
As the world moves closer to the 21st century, research and development in the area of biotechnology has increased dramatically. According to Bette
Cited: Wilson Company, 1995. New York: H.W. Wilson Company, 1995. 145-153. Hileman, Bette. "Views differ sharply over benefits, risks of agricultural biotechnology." Chemical and Engineering News 73 (1995): 8-17. Press, 1984.