gmo-regulation.doc

GMO-Regulation: Case Study for Switzerland By Franz Xaver Perrez, Christoph Errass and Krisztina Bende Table of Contents I. Introduction 3 II. A Brief Introduction to Switzerland 4 II.1 The physical, human and economic context 4 II.2 The Institutional Context 4 II.2.1 Federal system: competence of communities, cantons and federal state 4 II.2.2 Federal Parliament 4 II.2.3 Federal Government 5 II.2.4 Direct Participation of the Swiss Population 5 III. The Political and Social Context 6 III.1 Main Actors Involved 6 III.1.1 The Swiss Population 6 III.1.2 The Private Sector, Farmers and NGOs 6 III.1.3 The Political Parties 7 III.2 Values and Interests Involved 8 III.2.1 Research and Science 8 III.2.2 Production 8 III.2.2.1 Pharmaceutical, Medical, Chemical, and Agricultural Biotechnology Industries 8 III.2.2.2 Farming Industry 9 III.2.2.3 Food Processing Industry 10 III.2.2.4 Protection of the Environment, Ecosystems and Human Health 11 III.2.3 Distribution and Sale 12 III.2.4 Consumption 12 III.2.4.1 Interest in Effective Medicine 13 III.2.4.2 Interest in Food Quality 13 III.2.4.3 Interests in Process and Production Methods 13 III.2.4.4 Interest in Information 14 III.2.4.5 Freedom of Choice 14 III.2.4.6 Interest in Price 14 III.2.5. Crosscutting Interests and Values 15 III.2.5.1 Ethical Values 15 III.2.5.2 International Trade Interests 15 III.2.5.3 International Environmental Interests 15 III.2.5.4 Developmental Interests 15 IV. The Swiss Regulation of Gmo 17 IV.1 History of Swiss GMO-Regulation 17 IV.1.1 First Constitutional Referendum: Approval, Labeling and “Respect for the Dignity of living beings” 17 IV.1.2 Second Constitutional Referendum: Rejection of a General ban on Genetic Engineering 18 IV.1.3 The “Gen-Lex”: A Comprehensive Legislation on Genetic Engineering 19 IV.2 Constitutional Provision 21 IV.3 Gene Technology Law 22 IV.3.1 General Principles 22 IV.3.2 Respect for the dignity of living beings (Art. 8 GTG) 22 IV.3.3 Ethics Committee 24 IV.3.4 Aut