Biotechnology and food security in developing countries
2005
M. Kropiwnicka
New technologies associated with genetic engineering and commonly referred to as biotechnology are increasingly perceived to be so ground-breaking that their impact on farming, agriculture and food systems will far surpass that of the twentieth century industrial revolution. This article by ActionAid, printed in the Journal on Science and World Affairs, discusses and evaluates the potential impact of the modern biotechnological revolution (genetic engineering) on food security in developing countries. The author reviews lessons learnt and outlines the current genetic revolution. In addition international environmental regimes that aim to defend biodiversity and farmer’s rights are reviewed. <br /><br />The paper finds that within the present framework, where innovations are driven by profit rather than by need oriented research and development, the biotechnological revolution can have an adverse effect on small farms and exacerbate social, economic and environmental problems. Given that the current debate on biotechnology entered a period of intensified conflict over questions of ownership and control over biological materials, the role of patenting and Intellectual Property Rights is specifically highlighted. The author concludes that much emphasis is given to the international attempts at control of biotechnology within the UN system and their attempts to set guidelines governing trade in genetically modified organisms and to strengthen the concept of ‘farmer’s rights’. <br />
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