Putting the cart before the horse: A review of biotechnology policy in Canada

The rapid introduction and seemingly favourable adoption of biotechnology products in Canada conceals important controversies associated with the technology and its regulatory oversight. In this essay the authors trace the development of Canadian biotechnology policy from the early 1980s to the present. Their analysis reveals that support for research and development preceded implementation of a regulatory framework by about 10 years - and preceded serious consideration of public concerns and social and ethical issues by more than 15 years. The authors suggest that this sequence of policy developments has contributed significantly to currently polarized views of the safety and overall acceptability of genetically modified crops and food.