Bootleggers and Biotechs

Abstract

Opponents of biotechnology often complain that the large biotech firms have vigorously fought efforts to regulate the industry. In fact, the large firms - Monsanto (now Pfizer), Ciba-Geigy (now Syngenta), DuPont, Pioneer, Dow, Bayer, BASF, et al. - have been anything but consistent opponents of regulation. They have encouraged government intervention in the market both to provide a government seal of approval on their products and - more ominously - to diminish competition with highly innovative small - and mid-sized companies and academic researchers.

Keywords: biotechnology, technology, regulation, industry regulation, technology regulation, biotechnology regulation, excessive regulation

JEL Classification: L5, L65, O38