Legal Regulation of GMO Turnover and Health Protection in Russia

Abstract

The article considersboth advantages and disadvantages of the widespread use of genetically modified
foodsamong the population. Special attention is drawn to insufficient arguments of their supporters and
opponents. The authors of the article propose to focus on the possible advances and risks of genetically
modified foodsfor public health. A state policy of approving or prohibiting the use of genetically modified
foods, including the relevant bio-policy, should be based on the priority of human life and health and the
interests of consumers of food products. Other arguments are secondary and subsidiary for making the
most important political decisions affecting the foundations of human life and the environment. Methods:
The research was carried out from the standpoint of theoretical analysis,general (sociological, systemic,
structural, functional) and specialscientific methods (comparative jurisprudence, technical and legal
analysis, specification, interpretation). The methodological basis of this study was the theory of knowledge.
Objective: The article aims at studying the possibility of GMO turnover in Russia, as well as determining
the purposes of their use and legal regulation.Results:It was concluded that the market authorization of
genetically modified products and the issuance of appropriate permissions to use them as food products,
whoseingredients contain a modified gene, make states answer the following question: “Do these genetically
modified products preservepublic health and the health of a particular individual?”.If such a goal is not
pursued, there is no social need (at least, in Russia) to introduce such products into civil circulation.
Supporting this conclusion, the authors of the article provideseveralarguments