11.01.2006
The Politics of Biotechnology in North America and Europe: Policy Networks, Institutions and Internationalization

"Two of the most prominent applications of biotechnology assisted reproductive technology and genetic modification of plants have stirred strong feelings and led to widely varying approaches among North American and European countries. Nor are states always consistent, they might be restrictive on GMOs but permissive of ARTs. In a systematic comparison of these two policy areas, this book adds greatly to our understanding. Theoretically well-informed and methodologically sophisticated, the authors show how different patterns of networks, national institutions, and international regimes explain policy outcomes. In providing this analysis, they challenge common assumptions about an "Atlantic divide" and the importance of EU institutions over nation-state ones. Policy scholars working in all policy areas will find much to learn from this book."—William D. Coleman, Director of the Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition, McMaster University

Biotechnology is one of the most important new issues to emerge in the knowledge economy. The Politics of Biotechnology in North America and Europe provides analysts with a perspective on policy-making in scientifically advanced countries that integrate the insights of several approaches and that display a particular sensitivity to the complexity of policy-making conjectures. This perspective allows going beyond the simplistic understandings of biotechnology policy currently prevailing. This volume provides a rigorous analysis and detailed information on biotechnology policy in nine countries. The essays included here present the results of in-depth empirical research in the area of biomedicine and agro-food biotechnology. The book is, therefore, not only of interest to policy-makers and policy analysts, but also to anyone with an interest in biotechnology.

List of Contributors
Éric Montpetit, Frédéric Varone, Christine Rothmayr, Gabriele Abels, Francis Garon, Francesca Scala, Nathalie Schiffino, and Arco Timmermans.

About the Editors
Éric Montpetit is associate professor of political science at the University of Montreal. Christine Rothmayr is assistant professor of political science at the University of Montreal. Frédéric Varone is professor of political science at the University of Geneva.