Study On Consumer Protection Related To Genetically Modified Products

With the emergence and rapid development of the genetically modified(GM) technology and genetically modified foods,it is highly controversial, one hand, it has brought great achievement in the business, on the other hand, the bio-safety is a serious problem we cannot avoid. When we enjoy the benefits from the modern bio-technology, at the same time we need take a rational look at the drawbacks of GM technology, as well as the enormous risks we are facing. Therefore, the policy and law makers of nations try to seek a dynamic balance between the two, and the legal means undoubtedly is the wise choice and significant implement. As the principal GM crops cultivation, China has to attach much importance to regulations of the GM products. This dissertation chooses the consumer protection as the starting point, and it is based on international trade perspective to explore how to balance the GM products'international trade and consumer protection by legal means.This dissertation can be divided into five chapters, summarized as follows:Chapter I is an overview of GM products and consumers'rights. The author defines the two basic concepts, and makes an introduction of the GM products'status quo in international trade. Finally it highlights the characteristics of GM products'consumer protection.Chapter II is the related theory of the GM products'international trade and consumers'protection. This chapter discusses the conflict between the precautionary principle and free trade, and then makes some thoughts on construction of principle and system to coordinate the conflict.Chapter III is the foreign reference for the GM products'consumer protection. It compares the relative regulation of the U.S and European Union. Considering the big profits brought by GM technology, the U.S takes comparative loose regulation. Otherwise, the EU attaches much importance on consumer rights, particularly the health. So they make strict regulation to control the GM products'imports. This dissertation analyses the two's legal loopholes, but also draws some merits from them.Chapter IV is international treaties and GM products'consumer protection. The emphasis in this chapter is Catagena protocol, which embodies the precautionary principle, and sets up the prior informed consent procedures, risk assessment system and labeling system.Chapter V is China's systems on GM products'consumer protection, which is the practical significance of this dissertation. The author points the drawbacks in the present regulations, and then makes suggestions to perfect it.