Criminal, Civil and Ethical Framework for Advancements of Benefits of Biotechnology to Mankind

Abstract

For various reasons, the health status of a man declines with time depending on his environment, food and beverage intake, mentality, stress level, age etc. Fortunately, the ability of man to combat various diseases has advanced due to Biotechnology that is emerging worldwide and Nigeria is not left out. Footings in pharmaceutical biotechnology are embedded in the ability of plants, microorganism and animals to produce low and high molecular weight compounds which are functional for mankind and animals as therapeutics. The development in medical biotechnology has brought different ideas and mechanisms to combat the challenges of deteriorating health by making use of biological parts to treat patients. As with any new innovation, biotechnology comes with a lot of potentials but also with lots of risks, ethical and legal dilemma, hence, the need for law and regulations to serve as guide in the emerging industry. This article examined these criminal and civil issues using doctrinal research methodology and the analytical approach to explore the works of several authors in the field of biotechnology to examine its development. The study thereafter made recommendations on how to create an effective system that will harness the potentials
of the biotechnology especially in the field of pharmacy and medicine. The study concluded that biotechnology can only excel for the benefits of mankind and the environment when pharmaceutical companies, researchers, scholars and government abide by the ethical and legal provisions on biotechnology in order to avoid the consequences of the risks.