Editing Our Posthuman Future (section)

== Political control of biotechnology ==
Fukuyama recognizes that translation of human nature into rights is difficult, but possible through a rational discussion of human ends. In his opinion, control of biotechnology is a political necessity. "Countries must regulate the development and use of technology politically, setting up institutions that will discriminate between those technological advances that promote human flourishing, and those that pose a threat to human dignity and well-being".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/ourposthumanfutu00fuku/page/182|title=Our posthuman future : consequences of the biotechnology revolution|last=Francis.|first=Fukuyama|date=2002|publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux|isbn=0374236437|edition=1st|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/ourposthumanfutu00fuku/page/182 182]|oclc=49502279}}</ref>  He rejects the idea that "theology, philosophy, or politics" should not influence the scientific process, because "science by itself cannot establish the ends to which it is put."  "Nazi doctors who injected concentration camp victims with infection agents... were in fact legitimate scientists who gathered real data that could potentially be put to good use."<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/ourposthumanfutu00fuku/page/185|title=Our posthuman future : consequences of the biotechnology revolution|last=Francis.|first=Fukuyama|date=2002|publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux|isbn=0374236437|edition=1st|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/ourposthumanfutu00fuku/page/185 185]|oclc=49502279}}</ref> Therefore, morality is needed to establish the end of science and the technology that science produces, and pronounce on whether those ends are good or bad." Political process that could decide on the legitimate uses of science is enabled by a democratically constituted political community acting through elected and scientifically informed representatives.<ref name=":2" />

Fukuyama rejects the notion that biotechnology cannot be controlled. Nuclear weapons, nuclear power, ballistic missiles, biological and chemical warfare, illegal human organ trade, neuropharmacological drugs, genetically modified foods, human experimentation have been the subject of effective international political control. Occasional breaking of the law, cannot be used as an excuse not to pursue legislature at all. "Every country makes murder a crime and attaches severe penalties to homicide, and yet murders nonetheless occur. The fact that they do has never been a reason for giving up on the law or on attempts to enforce it."<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/ourposthumanfutu00fuku/page/189|title=Our posthuman future : consequences of the biotechnology revolution|last=Francis.|first=Fukuyama|date=2002|publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux|isbn=0374236437|edition=1st|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/ourposthumanfutu00fuku/page/189 189]|oclc=49502279}}</ref>

Author outlines several issues that need to be address to establish an effective international regulation of biotechnology:<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/ourposthumanfutu00fuku/page/188|title=Our posthuman future : consequences of the biotechnology revolution|last=Francis.|first=Fukuyama|date=2002|publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux|isbn=0374236437|edition=1st|location=New York|pages=[https://archive.org/details/ourposthumanfutu00fuku/page/188 188–190]|oclc=49502279}}</ref> 
# Over-regulation can create inefficiencies, drive up the business costs, and stifle innovation.
# While most regulatory initiatives begin domestically, to be truly effective the regulation needs to be negotiated, harmonized, and enacted on the international level. 
# Risks, benefits, and enforcement costs of biotechnology need to clearly defined.
# Different ethical views of biotechnology throughout the world.
# Different political systems throughout the world.