

Biotechnology revolution is poised to benefit the world poorest only if controversies associated with safety are regulated appropriately. These controversies have been confounded by conflicting interests of different stakeholders. Using Kenya's experience in developing a biosafety regulatory framework for management of biotechnology innovation, this chapter explores the political and social dimensions associated with biotechnology regulation in the context of a poor developing country. It finds that regulation attracts different responses and that the embedded controversies are context specific and have ramifications for translation of biotechnology science for pro poor development. In conclusion, it notes that biotechnology regulation requires a critical thought in relation to the handling of divergent perceptions held by stakeholders. Based on empirical insights generated from the Kenyan case, the chapter provides practice based recommendations for policy towards stimulating a productive biotechnology debate. © 2012 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
Kingiri, A.N.; African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), Gigiri Court, Off United Nations Crescent P.O Box 45917, Kenya;
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