South Korea – 2007 – The law proposal for the support of scientific and technological research of aging
South Korea – 2007 – The law proposal for the support of scientific and technological research of aging
In Korean:
노화과학기술연구촉진법
(Editor’s note: Please see the The Korean original. Corrections for the English translation below are welcome!)
The law proposal to support scientific and technological research of aging includes establishing a main plan and monitoring program for the proposed law (Articles 2 – 5), the creation and support of a scientific and technological research council in the field of aging, and creation and support of a scientific and technological research committee on aging, their structure and administration (Articles 6 – 12), support and supervision for the manufacturing of new technological products (Article 14), clinical trials and experimental testing (Articles 14, 15), etc.
The law proposal for the support of scientific and technological research of aging
- Purpose
The purpose of this law is to provide the basis for the wide support of scientific and technological research of aging, to ensure the effective prioritizing of this research, facilitating the technological development and commercial utilization of its results, as well as the development of methods to improve the health of the nation and the state of the economy.
- Definitions
Research of aging, defined under this law, is scientific and technological biomedical research aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of aging with the purpose to achieve healthy and active longevity, prevent and treat age-related diseases due to the aging process, promote active longevity with good functional abilities, strong physical and mental health of the aged. The research of aging involves a multidisciplinary framework of societal, educational, as well as scientific, technological and methodological areas.
- Scope
All research of aging must be performed under this Law, except for cases particularly stipulated under other laws containing specific rules.
- Responsibilities of the government
(1). It is the responsibility of the government to establish and actively pursue a main plan for the development and support of research of aging.
(2). All legal entities, such as universities, research institutes, and companies, and individuals involved in research of aging, must cooperate in developing and pursuing the policy and the main plan to support research of aging, in accordance to paragraph 1.
- Developing the main plan to support research of aging
(1). The appointed central Administration Agency (Administration Center) for the research of aging within the Ministry of Science and Technology must prepare a document containing the goals and directions for research of aging, as well as a planned annual schedule of research of aging, and a report on the research of aging in the previous year, and must submit it to the Minister of Science and Technology.
(2) The minister, based on the plans provided by the Administration Center as of paragraph 1, must issue the main plan (hereafter “the plan”) for research of aging, which, after adjustments suggested by the appointed Research Council on Aging (as of Article 7 below), must be submitted to the Administration Center. The procedure of changing the main plan is the same.
(3). The plan referred to in paragraph 2 must include:
- The long-term and short-term purpose and content of the research on aging;
- Ways to attract investors and plans to use funds for research of aging.
iii. An analytic plan for the development and utilization of aging research in terms of education, science, engineering and technology, agriculture, information, environment, fisheries, etc.
- A specification of human resources and specialists needed for research of aging and plans for their training and recruitment.
- The plan for preserving and utilizing the results of research of aging.
- Other necessities and relevant studies needed to support research of aging.
- Implementation of the action plan for the support of research of aging
(1). Annually, the Administration Center will supervise and report to the Minister of Science and Technology on the implementation of the plan for research of aging.
(2). Head of the Administration Center must discuss in advance with the Minister of Science and Technology regarding measures intended to implement the plan for research of aging.
(3). When necessary, the Minister of Science and Technology may establish basic guidelines for the implementation of the plan via prior consultation with the head of theAdministrationCenter.
(4). The development and implementation of the plan must be approved by a presidential decree.
- Council for the support of scientific and technological research of aging
(1). For the deliberation on matters pertaining to the support of research of aging, the special advisory Council for the support of research of aging (hereafter “the Council”) shall be established.
(2) The Council shall deliberate on the following matters:
- Developing the main plan for the support of research of aging, and the consequent formulation of relevant policies, coordination and supervision of their implementation.
- Increasing the budget and investments for long-term technological and scientific research of aging.
iii. Establishing the requirements and developing plans for attracting professional human resources to the research of aging according to specialty, category, fields and projects, formulating the recruitment policy, supervising and adjusting the implementation of the plans.
- Developing plans for the preservation and utilization of the results of research of aging, coordination and supervision of their implementation.
- Providing additional information regarding resources needed for research of aging, as considered appropriate by the Council head.
(3). The Council shall consist of the head (Chairman) and not more than 20 members.
(4). The chairman of the Council shall be appointed by the Minister of Science and Technology, and shall coordinate between theAdministrationCenter officials, the scientific community (academics, research institutes), and industry professionals.
(5). The Council must include 6 members of academia, 3 representatives of research institutes, and 2 representatives of industry.
(6). The structure and operational requirements for the Council will be established by a Presidential Decree.
- Working Committee for the support of scientific and technological research of aging
(1) The Working Committee (“the Committee”) shall be established to conduct practical tasks assigned by the Council and approved by the Minister of Science and Technology.
(2). The Committee shall consist of governmental officials of the Administration Center, members of academia and research institutes, and industry professionals working in research of aging.
(3). The Committee structure and requirements for its effective operation will be established by a Presidential Decree.
- Increasing the investment in research of aging
(1) It is the duty of the government, as stipulated in Article 5, paragraph 2 (ii), to support the expansion of investments into research of aging, according to the main plan and the scope of the budget.
(2). The Minister of Science and Technology is responsible for developing the annual investment plan for research of aging and, after consultation with the Council, it must be submitted to the National Science and Technology Council.
- Scientific and technological cooperation
The government must promote international cooperation in aging research and related technological development, and attract foreign experts to work in this area.
- Promotion of cooperative research and development
The government will actively promote collaborative research projects involving academic and research institutes and industry in order to jointly develop scientific and technological capabilities for the purposes of research of aging.
- Support of industrial production
The government will facilitate the manufacturing of new products, created as a result of research of aging.
- Collection and dissemination of technical information
The government will collect and widely spread information on research of aging. At the same time, the various agencies involved in this area will be recruited to assist the government in collecting and spreading information on the subject.
- Promotion measures for research of aging
To increase the efficiency of research of aging, the relevant ministries will undertake the following measures:
(1). The Minister of Education will support training in the field of research of aging and provide incentives to educators in this field.
(2). The Minister of Science and Technology will be chiefly responsible for developing the Main Plan for the Support of Research of Aging, will direct its design and implementation, collection of resources, facilitation of information exchange and cooperation in the field, development of new related technologies, preservation and utilization of research results in practice, promotion of public access, support and education in the field, assisting agencies involved in research of aging.
(3). Minister of Agriculture will promote the experimental research of aging related to the development of agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry, and will advance the translation of this research into related technologies followed by their wide application in production.
(4). Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy Resources will facilitate the creation of new manufacturing processes, engineering applications and industrial deployment of technologies originating in research of aging.
(5). Minister of Information and Communication will develop information and communication technologies for research of aging, promote the dissemination and practical application of the gathered knowledge.
(6). Minister of Health and Welfare will ensure the application of the results of research of aging in health care practice, will support the development and application of biomedical technologies based on this research.
(7). Minister of the Environment will ensure the application of research of aging in the related fields of environmental protection and public health, will contribute to the wide introduction of improved environmental and public health technologies and utilities originating in research of aging.
(8). Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries will promote studies related to research of aging, and facilitate their translation into advanced fishery, seafood and other derived production technologies.
- Testing and safety
(1). The government must supervise the manufacturing, testing and safety of products originating from research of aging.
(2). The criteria for effective testing and safety will be determined by a Presidential Decree.
- Procedures for planning and conducting experiments
(1). To promote the scientific research and industrial production in the area of aging research, the government must develop procedures for planning and conducting experiments.
(2). In accordance to paragraph (1), guidelines must be established to ensure biological safety, prevention of adverse effects, and avoidance of ethical problems that may arise as a result of scientific research and industrial production originating from research of aging.
- Establishment of research institutes.
(1). In order to support research of aging, as well as utilize its results in scientific, technological and industrial development, special institutes for research of aging will be established that will work in close cooperation with industry. The government will supervise and support the establishment of such research institutes.
(2). The special research institutes established in accordance with paragraph (1) shall operate under the provisions of this Law.
Note: This Law will enter into force from the date of its publication.
