ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author considers certain aspects of human genetics and agriculture and draw some general observations concerning the transfer of biotechnology to the developing nations and intellectual property rights. Frequent media coverage through television, newspapers and magazines has heightened public awareness of biotechnology. The adverse impact of technology on ecology was heightened by the oil spill from Exxon Valdez in Alaska although that situation did not directly involve biotechnology. An occasional crisis may lead to greater attention on biotechnology. Excessive zeal in regulating biotechnology would tend to discourage the growth of biotechnology industry. For several reasons the acceptance of new technologies including biotechnology is a slow process in the developing nations. Transfer of technology, especially biotechnology, imposes ethical dilemmas for both exporting and receiving nations. The development of any technology is an integral part of the socio-political milieu of that particular nation.
