The policy agenda setting of bioethics in Korea started with the birth of cloned animal Dolly. The public agenda for opposition to human-cloning was shaped under the movement of NGOs. But the formulation of policy agenda began with the governmental pa...
The policy agenda setting of bioethics in Korea started with the birth of cloned animal Dolly. The public agenda for opposition to human-cloning was shaped under the movement of NGOs. But the formulation of policy agenda began with the governmental part.
There were five attempts to legislate for bioethics from the National Assembly and the Executive Branch from 1977 to 2001. Three members of the National Assembly during three years, the Ministry of Health and Welfare(MOHW) and the Ministry of Science and Technology(MOST) during two years were the major actors for the agenda setting. However, all of the attempts failed in legislation.
This paper focuses on the questions: what were the main factors leading the actors to legislation for bioethics in Korea?; why were the trials failed during five years?
To answer these questions systemically, this paper draws on the concept of policy networks developed by Rhodes & Marsh. According to the model of Rhodes & Marsh, there are four dimensions(membership, intergration, resources, power) distinguishing the two types of policy networks: policy community and issue network.
This model is a very useful tool for understanding policy making process of bioethics in Korea.
Research results are summarized as follows. First, the typology of policy network started with policy community model. The number of participants were very limited in 1998: National Assembly, MOST, and scientists. They shared two basic values, that is, the improvement of biotechnology is more important than bioehtics, and more scientists have to participate in policy agenda setting process. The NGOs were consciously excluded in policy community.
However the policy network was changed later. Issue network as well as policy community appeared simultaneously in 2001. MOHW, NGO, and mass media newly entered on the stage of policy agenda setting as powerful actors.
Second, there was an characteristic element for succeeding in legislation of bioethics in Korea. The more acceptance of scientists' opinions, the more chances for passing the legislative barriers.
This case was certainly found in 1998. The member of the National Assembly at that time tried to accept the ideas of the MOST and the scientists in universities and governmental institutes. On the contrary he always denied the NGOs' claim.
Finally, it was the driving force to make policy agenda be more rigidly that the desire for taking possession first among actors. Except the case in 1998, most major actors had little belief on the proper contents of policy agenda for bioethics. They were mainly interested in setting the law in their power.
This paper will contribute to academic and political aspects. From the academic aspect, foundations to understand dynamism of policy making process for bioethics can be provided. And the proper and elastic governmental action for democratic process will be given from the political aspect.