Now we will talk about the influence of various regulations on the availability of Fetal Bovine Serum.

It is a fact that import and export regulations have direct influence on the availability of Fetal Bovine Serum. Specific origins may or may not be allowed for importation into a country or a geographic region. Economic, political and health considerations are the main drivers behind those regulations.

However there are regulations that indirectly but significantly influence Fetal Bovine Serum availability. Here is one example:

In 2005 US president Bush signed a legislation requiring greater fuel efficiency and ramping up the use of ethanol – mostly produced by corn. As a consequence of this “Ethanol Bill” corn prices doubled between 2006 and 2008 creating problems for the cattle producers who largely feed their livestock on corn. The lack of financial interest in growing or rebuilding herds caused farmers sell also pregnant animals for meat production. US Fetal Bovine Blood was available in excess and reached in 2008 record lows of US$ 2.50 / liter. At the end of 2011 the ethanol subsidies expired and corn was available again to be used as animal feed at lower prices. Since that time keeping back pregnant animals for herd rebuilding has become more attractive. Fetal Bovine Blood is short in supply thus leading to a significant price increase. The USDA pharmaceutical report for June 2014 shows Fetal Bovine Blood in the price range of US$ 80 – 115.

This is how lowering gasoline costs may affect other markets. Think of it next time you sit in your car. Everything is linked together and it is ONE world we live in.