About the Program
Biotechnology is one of the fastest growing industries in the world and India is among the top 12 destinations. Biotechnology applies to development of products and technologies useful in a broad range of sectors like agriculture, environment, health, fuel etc. Some of the biotechnological applications are welcome and some like stem cell research, GM products are controversial. Biotechnology is the life science, which generally deals with the study of living organisms. It is an application of biology and different other techniques to change or to modify products for specific human use. Biotechnology is also known as biological technology. Biotechnology plays a very important role in human welfare and has revolutionized mankind since its existence. It contributes much towards the human’s welfare and their health needs. By this course we aim to teach the relationship between biotechnology and law. This course would discuss the areas which are less discussed with respect to biotechnology, environment, IPR and science. This course would take a holistic approach to make the students aware of the legal aspects of biotechnology.
About the Courses
Indian Legal System a Primer
- The legal system in India has drastically changed since colonial times. There are criticisms directed towards the existing legal framework as not responding to the challenge of contemporary society and with its identification as a Common Law legal system. However, Judicial activism has resulted in liberal interpretations of the various statutes.
- The aim of this paper is to acquaint the students with basic understanding of development of legal system in India.
Science of Biotechnology
- Biotechnology is highly multidisciplinary subject with its roots lying in basic sciences- botany zoology chemistry, physics mathematics and computer science. Biotechnology has been developing so fast in the recent years and it has had a great impact on human life. Biotechnological inventions and applications raise ethical, legal and social issues.
- The goal of this course is to introduce students to the world of biotechnology and to acquaint them with various techniques and emerging areas of biotechnology.
Regulation of Biotechnology
- Regulating any technology needs to be done with a holistic approach to ensure optimal utilization of such technology toward sustainable development. Especially so with biotechnology as this deals with the basic concept of life and includes health, food and other aspects. The issue of regulation of biotechnology has been contentious regarding the mode and method of application of law in the field of biotechnology. In order to ensure optimal utilization of biotechnology toward sustainable development, the laws and policies should be in compliance with the law of the land—the Constitution of India and the socioeconomic goals set out in the Directive Principles of State Policy prescribed under the constitution. At the same time, the fundamental rights of the people of India are also required to be safeguarded in the most dynamic way by any policy that intends to regulate biotechnology.
Biotechnology and IPR
- All novel Technologies require the law to adjust and develop, yet beyond the normal challenges, biotechnology poses fundamental, ethical and legal problems and also calls for reflection as it touches upon the very foundation of life.
- Biotechnology today plays a key role in virtually all areas of Pharmaceutical science, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, stem cell related research, embryology and cell biology, bioremediation and biodegradation. The inventions made with biological resources beneficial to humanity needs to be protected. It is here that intellectual Property Law plays an important role.
Biotechnology and Human Rights
- The biotechnology covers a vast range of issues. Biotechnology invites us to re-examine concerns ranging from reproductive technology to the rights of those indigenous peoples whose genetic samples are used in biotechnological research. It also creates new areas of human rights discussions with far-reaching implications for future generations, dealing with such processes as germ-line manipulation (altering the genes in egg, sperm, or embryo cells to change characteristics of the developing foetus), and genetic screening.
- This paper aims at learning about main issues and developments related to Biotechnology and Human Rights.
Biotechnology and Environmental Law
- This paper aims at learning about main issues and developments related to Biotechnology and Environmental Law. This paper would look into the application of the various processes of protecting and conserving the environment. The environmental biotechnology laws are used to prevent and reduce environmental degradations and this paper would teach all those aspects to the students.
Biotechnology and Trade
- In recent past, adoption and diffusion of biotechnology has raised several policy challenges for the governance of this technology due to rapid expansion of the biotechnology industry. Development of trade in biotechnology has been a subject of great importance, debate and discussion. With the WTO and the TRIPs Agreement, International Trade in Health Care, Pharmaceutical Products and Agricultural Products has brought to the forefront many issue sand challenges calling for proper regulation and policies.