A sustainable balance between innovation and risk: How the “right to science” affects China’s medical biotechnology regulatory policy

Medical biotechnology is at the forefront of scientific progress, with humanity facing a critical juncture during the pandemic. However, to maximize these benefits, governments face the complex challenge of reconciling innovation and risk. A sustainable balance is critical, as extreme measures such...

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Main Authors: Yiping Han, Lindsay L. Fan, Yang Xue
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2001037024001107
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author Yiping Han
Lindsay L. Fan
Yang Xue
author_facet Yiping Han
Lindsay L. Fan
Yang Xue
author_sort Yiping Han
collection DOAJ
description Medical biotechnology is at the forefront of scientific progress, with humanity facing a critical juncture during the pandemic. However, to maximize these benefits, governments face the complex challenge of reconciling innovation and risk. A sustainable balance is critical, as extreme measures such as blanket bans on biotechnology research could hamper progress, while unfettered research could pose an existential threat. The need for effective regulation has become apparent in the context of recent controversies surrounding pharmaceutical biotechnology. Governments face the challenge of reconciling precaution with innovation, necessitating a dual strategy fostering both principles. This paper explores the delicate dynamics of innovation and risk in pharmaceutical biotechnology, focusing on the evolving landscape in Europe, the U.S., and, notably, China. At the same time, we delve into the regulatory landscape and examine the role of the “right to science” in shaping Chinese policy. This paper further applies the right to science that has received the interests of medical biotechnology regulatory policymakers: understanding the role of scientific claims in regulating emerging technologies and analyzing the impact of major regulations on the ability to sustainably balance innovation and risk. We believe that a comprehensive global effort is needed to harmonize these two principles, highlighting the imperative of responsible governance in steering the trajectory of this powerful scientific frontier. The insights gained from the Chinese experience offer valuable implications for global policymakers facing similar challenges.
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spelling doaj-art-8caee40535ec4d068b1b1aec1a41fc4b2025-08-20T02:37:24ZengElsevierComputational and Structural Biotechnology Journal2001-03702024-12-012430631310.1016/j.csbj.2024.04.027A sustainable balance between innovation and risk: How the “right to science” affects China’s medical biotechnology regulatory policyYiping Han0Lindsay L. Fan1Yang Xue2School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UKNorth Oconee High School, Bogart, GA, USACenter for Biosafety Research and Strategy, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; Law School, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; Correspondence to: #7 Building, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China.Medical biotechnology is at the forefront of scientific progress, with humanity facing a critical juncture during the pandemic. However, to maximize these benefits, governments face the complex challenge of reconciling innovation and risk. A sustainable balance is critical, as extreme measures such as blanket bans on biotechnology research could hamper progress, while unfettered research could pose an existential threat. The need for effective regulation has become apparent in the context of recent controversies surrounding pharmaceutical biotechnology. Governments face the challenge of reconciling precaution with innovation, necessitating a dual strategy fostering both principles. This paper explores the delicate dynamics of innovation and risk in pharmaceutical biotechnology, focusing on the evolving landscape in Europe, the U.S., and, notably, China. At the same time, we delve into the regulatory landscape and examine the role of the “right to science” in shaping Chinese policy. This paper further applies the right to science that has received the interests of medical biotechnology regulatory policymakers: understanding the role of scientific claims in regulating emerging technologies and analyzing the impact of major regulations on the ability to sustainably balance innovation and risk. We believe that a comprehensive global effort is needed to harmonize these two principles, highlighting the imperative of responsible governance in steering the trajectory of this powerful scientific frontier. The insights gained from the Chinese experience offer valuable implications for global policymakers facing similar challenges.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2001037024001107Right to scienceMedical biotechnologyChinaRegulatory policyBiosafety and biosecurityRisk and innovation
spellingShingle Yiping Han
Lindsay L. Fan
Yang Xue
A sustainable balance between innovation and risk: How the “right to science” affects China’s medical biotechnology regulatory policy
Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
Right to science
Medical biotechnology
China
Regulatory policy
Biosafety and biosecurity
Risk and innovation
title A sustainable balance between innovation and risk: How the “right to science” affects China’s medical biotechnology regulatory policy
title_full A sustainable balance between innovation and risk: How the “right to science” affects China’s medical biotechnology regulatory policy
title_fullStr A sustainable balance between innovation and risk: How the “right to science” affects China’s medical biotechnology regulatory policy
title_full_unstemmed A sustainable balance between innovation and risk: How the “right to science” affects China’s medical biotechnology regulatory policy
title_short A sustainable balance between innovation and risk: How the “right to science” affects China’s medical biotechnology regulatory policy
title_sort sustainable balance between innovation and risk how the right to science affects china s medical biotechnology regulatory policy
topic Right to science
Medical biotechnology
China
Regulatory policy
Biosafety and biosecurity
Risk and innovation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2001037024001107
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