Dynamics in biotechnology policy-making in Europe in the period 1994-2006

This article analyses the dynamics in national biotechnology policy-making in the 15 old EU member states and three associated European countries (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) in the period from 1994-2006. It uses two data sets on national biotechnology policy instruments; the first covers the period from 1994-1998 and the second, the period from 2002-2005. The article analyses the changes in the first and second-generation policies and policy instruments that support biotechnology from a national systems perspective and assesses the changes in terms of market and systems failures. Analysis shows that first-generation policies (supporting basic and applied research) have kept their top position. Strong dynamics were found in second-generation policies encouraging technology transfer and commercialisation. A major trend in 2002-2005 was the increased regional government participation in biotechnology policy-making.