Biotechnologies. Conséquences socio-économiques

Abstract

The actual technological revolution is largely sustained by developments in biotechnology. The rapid acquisition of knowledge in biological sciences, coupled with the advancement in robotics and computer sciences and with the multiplication of bio-industries, have caused a worldwide disruption of socio-economical conditions. Some remarks on these consequences are emphasized here, with respect to agribusiness, health and the environment. Agriculture now depends on upstream related industries and food producers are under increasing pressure from food transformers and distributors. In this situation, genetically modified organisms are introduced on the market. Both their advantages (e.g., extensive production, enlargement of the distribution areas of species, lowering the use of pesticides, synthesis of micronutrients and pharmaceutical essences, materials for interspecies transplant) and risks (e.g., deepening of the N-S rupture, settlement of farming, health and environment hazards) are stressed. In the health field biotechnologies are involved in the research for the improvement of fitness and lifetime primarily for those living in rich countries, in the increasing cost of public health care, in the situation of senior citizens. Biotechnologies are also at the basis of health problems (listeriose, diseases due to animal feeding diet). In the environmental field, challenges are the increasing shortage of water resources, pollutions of different nature, and the global warming of the earth. At the entry of the xxi century, will biotechnologies allow the development of small farms, with the agricultural practice based on science of “functional food”? Does the knowledge of genome expressions and the development of proteomic analyses allow the prediction and the prevention of genetic diseases and certain forms of cancer? Does the discovery of new vaccines allow the eradication of parasitoses such as flu, AIDS, malaria and various incoming viral diseases? In the genome therapy will conclusive recovery be achieved? All these results could be obtained in the context of the need for an universal health right and an appropriate control of health cost? Will biotechnologies help discover the sources of pollutions and facilitate their eradication and decontamination? Will their applications in energetic industries (biofuels, biogases) become profitable? Will the necessary regulation of the conditions of the new markets meet success? The granting of patents is one of the difficulties to deal with. Will the oligarchic powers of the economical actors be able to keep in balance with the political powers? In democracy, all citizens have to participate in the decisions concerning their way of life. Are they interested? Is it possible to democratically regulate the controlable effects of biotechnologies? These are the questions which are to be dealt with in this paper.