Legal regulation in the field of genetically modified organisms (GMO) turnover in Russia and foreign countries

Abstract

One of the most relevant issues, which todays society face is the use of advanced technologies in the field of GMO and GM-food. Taking a look at the world map of law we can see diverse legal regulation of GMO turnover, especially in the context of regulation and control of genomic studies and their practical application, risk assessment of uncontrollable GMO spreading and technologies of genetic editing of organisms including at the level of research planning. The comparative legal analysis of foreign regulation (including in dominant jurisdictions), provided in this article allows revealing those distinctions, determining the basic tendencies in GMO legal development and connected products with GMO components, including the matters of control with regard to GMO turnover. The analysis allowed drawing several recommendations on borrowing foreign experience for the sake of revising Russian regulation, i.e., taking regulatory measures to develop the relevant sphere of social relationships - legal acts, governmental decrees, etc. oriented towards the development of biotechnologies, raising confidence of citizens in genetics, stimulation of GMO production efficiency, and innovative development. Russia is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU); therefore, the article discusses the national laws of these countries concerning GMO and contains recommendations for harmonizing the legal framework of the supranational level in the field of GMO turnover.

Model legislation of the CIS member states in the field of regulation of the use of genetically modified organisms in the export of agricultural products

“…Looking at the legal map of the world, you can see the diverse legal regulation of the turnover of GMOs [3]. Some countries, including Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela prohibit the turnover of GMOs.…”