Medical Biotechnology

For many people, biotechnology means genetically modifi ed organisms, alien species, toxic weapons or hormone-treated beef. Yet it is also a tool to control plant and animal pests, pre- serve species, utilize genetic resources for health and nutrition and protect the environment. Society’s ability to manage, share and regulate advanced biotechnology offers many opportu- nities and raises many challenges and risks. This book explores the issues of advanced biotechnology and examines the progress made in recent years. It looks at the drivers of medical and pharmaceutical biotechnology develop- ment in the United States, the European Union and Japan. It describes the biotechnology tools to fi ght major global health concerns such as Ebola fever, the human immunodefi cien- cy virus, the SARS virus and the Avian fl u virus, as well as regulatory concerns and public perceptions. Professor Sasson also provides a state of the art analysis of the progress of selected develop- ing countries in fostering their own bio-industries. He examines some of the most contro- versial areas of medical biotechnology, including issues such as stem cell research and gene therapy and some of the ethical issues they raise. Albert Sasson is a Senior Visiting Professor at the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies. He has had a distinguished career as a scientist and scientifi c advisor and he was Assistant Director-General of UNESCO from 1993 to 1996. His work and research have culminated in over 200 publications. Professor Sasson is an Associate Member of the Club of Rome and holds a number of honorary appointments and degrees, including an ap- pointment by the King of Morocco as a Member of the Human Rights Consultative Council.