The role of modern biotechnology in developing country agriculture

Abstract

‘The 20th Century’s unprecedented gains in advancing human development and eradicating poverty came largely from technological breakthroughs.’ (UN Human Development Report 2001). ‘Foods can be produced through the use of GM technology that are more nutritious, stable in storage and, in principle, health promoting – bringing benefits to consumers in both industrialised and developing nations.’ (Transgenic plants and world agriculture; Royal Society 2001). ‘The impact of GM crops for people in poverty, particularly in developing countries, could be negative. GM crops and related technologies are likely to consolidate control over agriculture by large producers and agroindustrial companies, to the detriment of smaller farmers.’ (Oxfam 1999). ‘Golden Rice has been presented as a quick fix for a global problem. It isn’t, and the cash-driven propaganda about the product is swamping attempts to enforce existing effective solutions, and carry out further work on other sustainable, reliable methods to address the problem.’ (Greenpeace 2001).