Policy Briefs & Reports

Modern Biotechnology and India’s Governance Imperatives

Ananth Padmanabhan
R. Shashank Reddy, Shruti Sharma

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

October 1, 2017

Advances in the biotech sector are geared to transform existing ethical assumptions, while unravelling a host of products and services that can benefit humankind. The tradeoffs involved across various sub-verticals, including biodiversity exploration, gene editing, and genetically modified food substances, require a scientifically well-equipped regulator to discharge its responsibilities without undue political interferences. This paper argues that these background conditions do not presently exist in India, and recommends policy pathways going ahead.