ABSTRACT
The effort to capture technological development in a legally, ethically and socially acceptable box seems to make progressive political groups conservative and conservative industries progressive. Many members of the European Commission were taking part and amongst them was the Commissioner responsible for DG III. He said 'acceptance' does not imply 'total acceptance' and 'rejection' of biotechnology or genetic engineering does not imply 'total rejection'. 73 per cent of science policy leaders in the US fear that monsters could be created, or had ecological concerns over the further progress of biotechnology. In the same poll however, 61 per cent said they thought that the benefits of biotechnology and genetic engineering were much greater than the risks, and only 6 per cent said it was the other way round. In Europe, 85 per cent wish to counterbalance perceived high degree of risk with strong regulations and control; six per cent want a total ban of certain forms of biotechnology.
