Law and Economics of Regulation of Engineered Living Materials in the EU: Prospects for Investments and Innovation (SpringerBriefs in Law)

Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) have emerged as one of the most promising and conceptually disruptive technological developments at the intersection of biotechnology, materials science, and engineering.Over the past decade, they have attracted growing attention from researchers, policymakers, and funding bodies, culminating in high-profile recognition such as recognition among the Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025 by the World Economic Forum by the OECD in its forecasting as a foundational technological development that will reach maturity in the next 5-10 years.Within the European Union, the European Innovation Council has explicitly identified ELMs as a strategic priority, supporting their development through targeted funding initiatives aimed at positioning Europe at the forefront of this still-nascent technological domain.At the same time, ELMs challenge the conceptual and institutional foundations of existing regulatory frameworks.By integrating living cells into functional