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How Food Became a Casualty of Biotechnology's Promise

Pharmaceutical conglomerates are using the agricultural sector to underwrite their research and development efforts as they work to transform plants and animals into drug and organ factories to further their profits. This experiment, unprecedented in human history, masquerades as a humanitarian effort directed toward growing more food and feeding more people. How Food Became a Casualty of Biotechnology's Promise exposes how food is merely the conduit through which the pharmaceutical conglomerates hope to develop and monopolize the basic technologies that promise profits far exceeding any imaginable from high-yielding crops bearing vitamin-fortified food.

http://oaklandinstitute.org/pdfs/How_Food_became_Casualty.pdf

(Added: Thu May 17 2007   Hits: 126)

India's Farmers Bear Brunt of Globalization

India's farmers are committing suicide by the tens of thousands. This author blames American multinational companies peddling costly, genetically modified seeds, which encourage dependency and debt through peddling genetically-modified non-renewable seeds. The seed companies have been aided by legislative changes which create a monopoly to private seed industries. (Amitabh Pal, the Progressive, 19 September 2006)

http://progressive.org/mag_apb091906

(Added: Fri Sep 22 2006   Hits: 184)

Modern biotechnology and developing-world agriculture (PDF)

Author(s): Glover, D. Produced by: Environment Team, IDS Sussex (2002)** "An introduction to biotechnology in relation to developing countries. Covers: Public attitudes, consumer acceptance and potential risks of ag-biotech; Debate: Can agricultural biotechnology feed the world?; How is the agri-food sector changing?; The regulation of modern agricultural biotechnology; and Debate: The impact of IPRs. (PDF-87KB)

http://www.gapresearch.org/governance/Ag-BiotechOverview.pdf

(Added: Thu Nov 07 2002   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 221)

Paraguay Sojero: Soy Expansion and Its Violent Attack on Local and Indigenous Communities in Paraguay: Repression and Resistance [pdf]

In Paraguay, the expansion of (GM) soy production by Brazilian sojeros, supported by biotech and agrochemical corporations, local and national authorities, and the financial sector, is currently the main cause of violence against small farmers and their organisations, and of severe damage to people's health and to food crops due to fumigations with agrochemicals. Grupo de Reflexion Rural from Argentina presents a new report providing detailed accounts of the current violent acts against rural and indigenous communities in Paraguay, which are strongly related to the expansion of (GM) soy production. (Grupo de Reflexion Rural, 2006)

http://www.aseed.net/images/stories/agrocadabra/soy/paraguay-humanrights-report-72dpi.pdf

(Added: Wed May 24 2006   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 275)

Poor-Washing, the Gates Foundation & the "Green Revolution" in Africa

Genetically altered crops will rescue Africa from endemic shortfalls in food production, claim corporate foundations that have announced a $150 million "gift" to spark a "Green Revolution" in agriculture on the continent. Of course, U.S.-based agribusiness holds the patents to these wondercrops, and can exercise their proprietary "rights" at will. Are corporate foundations really out to feed the hungry, or are they hypocritical Trojan Horses on a mission to hijack the world's food supply - to create the most complete and ultimate state of dependency. (Bruce Dixon, Black Agenda Report, 31 May 2007).

http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=236&Itemid=40

(Added: Fri Jul 20 2007   Hits: 194)

Rights and Risks : Challenging Biotechnology in Zimbabwe (PDF)

By Jennifer Clare Mohamed-Katerere. IDS Working Paper 204. September 2003. Human rights have become a key focus of law and development, yet they remain conspicuously absent from the regulatory and policy regimes for the use and development of modern agricultural biotechnology. In contrast to rights approaches biotechnology law and policy is concerned with individual property rights and global trade. In this context the only "acceptable" restriction on biotechnology development is safety and thus regulation has focussed almost exclusively on risk assessment. Drawing on the experience of Zimbabwe and other countries in southern Africa, this paper argues that a risk-based approach, creates an artificial divide between civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights, desegregates society into a conglomerate of individual rights holders, effectively disempowers citizens and fails to create a viable and supportive legal framework for consensual agricultural biotechnology development that is responsive to local needs and perceptions about rights.

http://www.ids.ac.uk/ids/bookshop/wp/wp204.pdf

(Added: Fri Jan 28 2005   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 155)

Science, policy and regulation: challenges for agricultural biotechnology in developing countries (PDF)

Author(s): Scoones, I. Produced by: Millenium Development Goals (2001)** This paper explores the real world of policy-making, suggesting issues for investigation when examining policy and regulatory processes surrounding agricultural biotechnology in developing countries. The analytical starting point is a view of policy-making, which is non-linear, incremental, contested and negotiated. This involves a critical examination of the competing discourses and narratives which frame the debate, the forms of practice that make up day-to-day actions in policy and regulatory arenas, the underlying political, economic and social interests which are both influential and excluded, and the complex and often changing networks of actors involved (cf. Jasanoff and Wynne, 1998; Keeley and Scoones, 1999).(Intro) (PDF-323Kb)

http://www.ids.ac.uk/ids/bookshop/wp/wp147.pdf

(Added: Thu Nov 07 2002   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 191)

SOUTHERN AFRICA: GM controversy continues

JOHANNESBURG, 9 Aug 2002 (IRIN) - Following a flood of reports over the acceptance, or lack thereof, for genetically modified (GM) relief food in drought hit Southern Africa, the World Food Programme (WFP) has moved to set the record straight.

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=29255

(Added: Mon Aug 12 2002   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 210)

Ten Reasons Why GE Foods Will Not Feed the World

It is often claimed that genetically engineered crops are the only way to feed a growing world population. Yet close analysis suggests that there are at least 10 good reasons why the widespread adoption of genetic engineering in agriculture will lead to more hungry people - not fewer.

http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/tenreasons.cfm

(Added: Fri Jul 19 2002   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 264)

The Case Against Agricultural Biotechnology: Why Are Transgenic Crops Incompatible With Sustainable Agriculture In The Third World?

CorpWatch. By Miguel A. Altieri, Contained in a briefing packet that was sent to ministers of the Sacramento Ministerial June 10th, 2003. The deployment of transgenic crops is occurring at a rapid pace, reaching about 44.5 million hectares in 2000. Although commercial cultivation is mostly confined to USA, Argentina, Canada, and China, biotechnology proponents argue that expansion of such crops to the Third World is essential to feed the poor in the Third World, reduce environmental degradation, and promote sustainable agriculture. Such promises do not match reality.

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=7030

(Added: Tue Jan 18 2005   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 153)

The Case for a GM-free Sustainable World (PDF)

The Independent Science Panel (ISP) is a panel of scientists from many disciplines, committed to the Promotion of Science for the Public Good. ISP was officialy launched on 10th May 2003 with the release of this 136 page report (PDF 469kb).

http://www.indsp.org/A GM-Free Sustainable World.pdf

(Added: Wed Jun 18 2003   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 169)

The False Promise of Genetically Engineered Rice

Greenpeace e.V. 22745 Hamburg. This report confirms that the real causes of hunger and malnutrition are poverty and lack of access to food, issues that GE rice does not address. It is also noteworthy that seventy-eight percent of all malnourished children in the developing world live in countries with food surpluses.

http://www.mindfully.org/GE/Rice-False-Promise.htm

(Added: Tue Aug 13 2002   Modified: Thu Sep 21 2006   Hits: 191)

The future control of food

This online book examines the international forces and rules shaping the global food system in the 21st century.

http://www.idrc.ca/openebooks/397-3/

(Added: Wed May 28 2008   Hits: 18)

Treasury Report: Briefing on Genetic Modification Economic Analysis Cabinet Paper [PDF}

This report recommends you and the Minister for the Environment submit the attached joint Cabinet paper on the results of the economic analysis of the opportunities and risks of the use of genetic modification (GM) and non-GM organisms in New Zealand. The Cabinet paper also recommends that the results of this analysis be publicly released. A copy of the executive summary of the results is attached to the Cabinet paper; the full research study is still being readied for publication, and will be presented to Ministers prior to POL.

http://www.treasury.govt.nz/gmeconomic/tr2003-461.pdf

(Added: Thu Apr 17 2003   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 158)

US to Host Fake Ministerial in Sacramento to Push Biotech

Corpwatch, Source: Food First, Posted: June 4, 2003. "Between June 23-25, 2003, the USDA, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department will host a conference on Agricultural Science and Technology in Sacramento. For developing countries, this means biotechnology. Three ministers from every developing country (except Cuba, and those countries astride the so-called 'axis of evil') will be invited. Add on a press corps in the hundreds, and it's clear that, internationally at least, this is something of a big deal. Here are some reasons to mobilize against it ... "

http://www.corpwatch.org/bulletins/PBD.jsp?articleid=6948

(Added: Fri Jun 06 2003   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 159)

USAID and GM food aid

Author(s): Greenpeace UK**"In August 2002, Andrew Natsios of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) accused environmental groups of endangering the lives of millions of people in southern Africa by encouraging local governments to reject genetically modified (GM) food aid...In fact, the cynical manipulators of the famine in Africa are the US government, USAID and the GM industry. They are using the current situation to force the introduction of GM crops on countries desperate for food aid. There are numerous sources of non-GM aid available around the world, including the USA. Using these sources is the best way to both feed people and maintain their dignity, yet the US has made a clear policy decision to only supply GM contaminated aid from US suppliers." (Intro)

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/MultimediaFiles/Live/FullReport/5243.pdf

(Added: Thu Nov 07 2002   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 164)

Voices from the South: The Third World Debunks Corporate Myths on Genetically Engineered Crops (PDF)

Edited by Ellen Hickey and Anuradha Mittal A joint project of Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy and Pesticide Action Network North America June 2003. The battle over genetic engineering is being fought across the world, between those who champion farmers' rights to seeds, livelihood and land, and those who would privatize them. Food First, together with the Pesticide Action Network, has brought together a range of views from critics of GE food.

http://www.oaklandinstitute.org/?q=node/view/42

(Added: Tue Sep 02 2003   Modified: Wed Feb 14 2007   Hits: 186)

WFP policy on donations of foods derived from biotechnology (GM/biotech foods)

Author(s): WFP Produced by: United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) (2002)**This paper, presented to the Executive Board for consideration, outlines the WFP policy on donations of foods derived from biotechnology. It was requested by the Government of the Netherlands on 12 September 2002. The WFP policy that has been in effect with regard to all donations of foods can be summarized as follows: ! WFP distributes only foods that meet the food safety standards of both donor and recipient countries and that they deem safe for human consumption. This applies to both in-kind and purchased food donations. ! WFP food aid shipments adhere to the guidelines and recommendations of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. ! The Programme essentially acts as a broker in food aid shipments, and the policies of the governments involved prevail. In order to function, WFP must operate on the assumption that governments exercise due diligence in setting national regulations with regard to exports and imports of food. (Intro)

http://www.wfp.org/eb/docs/2002/wfp011823~2.pdf

(Added: Thu Nov 07 2002   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 153)

What is the impact of GMOs on sustainable agriculture in Zambia?

Author(s): Lubozhya, B.; (Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre, Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection) Produced by: Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, Zambia (2002)** The challenge of balancing short term food problems with long term agricultural problems is an urgent concern for Zambia today. Following an unanticipated drought situation, a situation proceeded the year earlier by too much rain and damaging flood conditions, there is a drastic shortfall in our basic food commodity, maize. As a consequence, an estimated two million Zambians are at risk of famine. (Abstract)

http://www.jctr.org.zm/downloads/GMOreport.pdf

(Added: Thu Nov 07 2002   Modified: Wed Feb 14 2007   Hits: 151)

World Food Body Fails to Take Stand on GM Food Aid

Published on Monday, October 28, 2002 by OneWorld.net. By Dickson Jere. Demands by a biotech food research and campaigns group for a radical rethink of food relief efforts involving the distribution of transgenic crops have been brushed aside by senior officials of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), at a meeting which ended Friday in Rome. "The position of WFP on biotech foods remains the same as for other donated foods," WFP senior public affairs officer, Francis Mwanza, told OneWorld on Friday, adding that "the meeting was not meant to take any position on biotech foods." (CommonDreams)

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/1028-02.htm

(Added: Thu Oct 31 2002   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 131)

Zambia to Accept U.S. Transgenic Food Aid

By Singy Hanyona. LUSAKA, Zambia, July 29, 2002 (Environmental News Service - ENS) - Zambia is expected to import genetically modified maize (corn) from the United States to feed its 2.3 million starving citizens, according to the Biotechnology Trust of Africa, a regional charitable trust. Zambia has decided not to follow in the footsteps of hungry Zimbabwe, which two months ago rejected 10,000 metric tons of genetically modified maize from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jul2002/2002-07-29-01.asp

(Added: Wed Jul 31 2002   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 188)

ZIMBABWE: New hope over GM food aid controversy

JOHANNESBURG, 1 Aug 2002 (IRIN) - The Zimbabwe government has agreed to accept a consignment of genetically modified (GM) maize from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), after weeks of controversy. Heather Lippitt, spokeswoman for the US embassy in Harare, told IRIN that she understood that this was on condition the maize was milled. So far, Lesotho, Malawi, and Swaziland were accepting GM maize. However, Zambia, which had previously accepted, had now also expressed caution. "It is necessary to examine the maize before we can give it to our people and I'm certain if it is found to be safe then we will give it, but if it is not then we would rather starve than get something toxic," President Levy Mwanawasa recently told the satellite news service, Sky News.

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=29134&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=ZIMBABWE

(Added: Tue Aug 06 2002   Modified: Thu Jun 02 2005   Hits: 190)

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