Developing World Concerns

The potential impact of biotechnology on developing countries has been hotly debated by international leaders. The concentration of biotech research in the private sector of industrialized nations has raised concerns about global equity.

Many developing nations do not have an adequate infrastructure to undertake their own biotech research. In order to access genetically modified crops or seeds, developing nations will be forced to implement a system for intellectual property protection, which may be costly. Additionally, most research and development has been in crops and traits appropriate for large-scale commercial ventures in temperate regions.

One of the key debates is whether biotechnology is a realistic solution to the problem of world hunger, and whether genetically modified crops are useful to the small-scale farmer. Many scientists contend that biotech could be useful for developing varieties that are better adapted to difficult local conditions, such as drought-prone or saline environments. However, there is also general agreement that by itself biotechnology cannot eradicate the problems of hunger. Some contend that the severe problems of persistent poverty and hunger demand that biotech be offered as one of the options for low-resource farmers. Others point out that lack of appropriate agricultural technology has never been the problem; rather structural factors that prevent farmers from accessing resources are the root causes of hunger. Additionally, they contend that most poor farmers could not afford the new genetically modified seeds, nor do the seeds currently available offer traits beneficial to the small farmer.

Whatever the resolution, the current integration of the economy and the fast pace of technological change make it imperative that developing nations make an informed decision on their biotechnology policy, or risk being marginalized or coerced by global market forces.

This information was drawn from the following sites:

“Balancing the Benefits of Biotechnology”
A statement by Per Pinstrup-Andersen of IFPRI in The Australian
http://ink.news.com.au/theaustralian/issues/gene/bio1.htm

“Can GE Food End World Hunger?”
Testimony from Worldwatch Institute to Senate Subcommittee on the “Role of Biotechnology in Combating Hunger and Poverty in Developing Nations”
http://www.worldwatch.org/biotech/bhtest.html

Promise and Pitfalls of Using Genetically Modified Crops in Developing Countries
An excellent debate between Dr. Rosset (Food First) and Dr. Per Pinstrup-Andersen (IFPRI)
http://www.foodfirst.org/media/interviews/2000/scifri4-00.html

For more information see:

Ag Biotech and the Poor
Report of international conference, convened by the CGIAR and the US NAS
http://www.cgiar.org/biotech/rep0100/contents.htm

Agricultural Biotechnology in Developing Countries: A Cross-Country Review
ISNAR Research Report #2
ftp://ftp.cgiar.org/isnar/Publicat/PDF/rr-02.pdf

Biotechnology and Globalization:Genetic Divide
Harvard’s Center for International Development Project Summary; examines the widening biotechnology gap between developed and developing countries.
http://www.cid.harvard.edu/cidbiotech/projects/genetic_divide.htm

“Biotechnology for Developing Country Agriculture: Problems
and Opportunities”
IFPRI Policy Brief
http://www.ifpri.cgiar.org/2020/focus/focus02.htm

Biotechnology in Crops: Issues for the Developing World
A 1998 Oxfam Research Paper
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/policy/papers/gmfoods/gmfoods.htm

Biotechnology, Trade and Hunger
IFPRI 2000 publication-see PDF version on web site
http://www.ifpri.org/pubs/books/ar2000.htm

FAO Paper: Agricultural Biotechnology and the Developing World http://www.fao.org/docrep/V4845E/V4845E00.htm

Governing the GM Crop Revolution: Policy Choices for Developing Nations (2000) http://www.ifpri.cgiar.org/checknames.cfm/2020dp33.pdf?name=
2020dp33.pdf&direc=d:\webs\ifpri\2020\dp
Also see brief for an excellent summary of the promotional or preventive policies
http://www.ifpri.cgiar.org/2020/briefs/number68.htm

Leading Scientists Debate the Merits of Biotechnology for the
Developing World
http://www.foodfirst.org/media/news/2000/biotechdebate.html

Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Report: Genetically Modified crops: ethical and social issues
Chapter 4: Impact on Developing Countries
http://www.nuffield.org/bioethics/index.html

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