Regulation of Technological Activities: A New Approach

Efforts to regulate technological activities have led to confusing and inconsistent government actions, delays in realizing the benefits from scientific advances, huge financial burdens, and doubtful protection. In the absence of a clear decision-making authority on technological issues, appeal from regulations is frequently sought in the courts. A new approach to regulation is proposed in which the tasks of investigating a technological activity and of making decisions are separated. The former would be carried out by an investigatory agency charged with and enabled to determine the negative aspects of the technological activity, the latter by politically appointed decision boards. The boards would consider the negative evidence presented by the investigatory agency and balance it against the benefits of the proposed activity.