The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: implications for research and development : a Third World perspective

This paper examines the possible impact of the Cartagena Protocol on the development of GM technologies from the perspective of developing countries. The author outlines the relevant provisions of the protocol (Articles 2(2), 16(2), 16(4) and Annex iii) giving an overview of how they differ from preceding practices before looking at the possible implications. This discussion focusses pricipally around the protocol's interpretation of the precautionary principle.Using the example of Bt- corn the author looks at how the research and development process might be altered under the precautionary principle and identifies the following differences (Benbrook and Suppan)Needs based focus. Is the technology necessary, and if so how widely does it need to be applied.Wider participation - research undertaken by applicants, farmrs and public sector researchers with incremental levels trials based on confidence.More rigorous data collection, sampling and assessment of expression levels overa longer test periodIncreased focus on impacts on human healthIncreased focus on concerns over resistance and resistance managementThe paper then looks at whether the protocol will affect the development of all GMOs and highlights a number of important exemptions which limit the range of GMOs covered by the core requirements of the protocol.Finally the paper concludes that the Biosafety Protocol acts as an important baseline to national legisaltion and will have implications for the trade in GMOs. The concentration of biotech. firms in the North and their control over seed means that developing countires are likely to be net importers on GM and associated products. As such issues of biosafety and liabilty are of paramount importance in developing countries and research and development based on the precautionary principle enshrined in the protocol is essential.