Genetic engineering

Genetic engineering

Genetically modified crops

A briefing report received by this section from the Panos Institute, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the UK Department for International Development voices the current concerns about genetic engineering. It is entitled: Greed or need? ­ Genetically modified crops.

Although the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of of the donors to Panos, the briefing is a balanced account of the situation so far. It come with discussions under the headings:

• 1.

  The birth of genetic engineering ­ introduction of modified crops.

• 2.

  Genetically modified crops: the industry case.

• 3.

  GM Crops: the critics case.

• 4.

  A question of trust?

• 5.

  Food security: the contribution of genetically modified crops.

• 6.

  The role of corporations in the world food supply.

• 7.

  The race for patents ­ legal regimes and regulations.

It also provides both contacts and references in a comprehensive index, together with a set of "Key facts". (Panos Briefings No. 30, October 1998, pages 1-18).

The report provides both a background to the subject and also comments on some of its more controversial aspects. The introduction says that:

Bumper harvests and food for all, or monster tomatoes and biopirates? It is still too early to know what impact genetically modified (GM) crops are going to have. They are provoking opposition from experts and the general public in Europe and some developing countries. But many scientists argue that much of the criticism is ill-informed and sometimes "hysterical", fanned by an "irresponsible" media. It is true that many people tend to be suspicious of big companies and indeed scientists, and react strongly to scares about the safety of food. But the race is on to win the hearts and minds of people in developed and developing countries alike.

Supporters argue that the world desperately needs GM crops to ensure food security and sustainability. GM crops, they say, will produce higher yields of more nutritious food, with less use of chemical inputs. Opponents fear that the driving force behind GM crops is greed, not need.

Monsanto, the world's largest GM seed company, foresees three waves of beneficial products: "The first consists of genetically modified crops which are resistant to insects and disease, or tolerant of herbicides. These will allow farmers to meet the growing demand for food ... The second wave, due to begin in five years' time, will see genetically induced 'quality traits' in food, such as high-fibre maize or high-starch potatoes, some of which will help doctors to fight disease. And in the third wave, plants will be used as environmentally friendly 'factories' to produce substances for human consumption."

But a growing coalition of dissenting specialists, farmers, citizens' groups, scientists and ordinary consumers, North and South, is becoming vociferous in its warnings of possible dangers from GM crops and the need for caution ­ at least ­ in their introduction. The criticisms range from challenges to the scientific assumptions of the technologies, through questions about the motivations of the biotechnology industry, to arguments that such meddling with the genetic make-up of plants is immoral or sacrilegious.

Environmental campaigners in Europe are so concerned about the potential dangers of GM crops that they are prepared to break the law to disrupt testing, and the cautious attitude of the European regulatory authorities is symptomatic of public concems about GM technology in food production. Opponents argue that increasing crop yields is not the solution to food insecurity, and warn that GM crops will bring dangers to the environment and human health, as well as negative impacts on farmers'livelihoods, especially in poorer countries. Many are uneasy with the fact that the biotechnology industry, and an ever larger proportion of the whole agricultural supply and distribution system, is controlled by a small number of giant corporations.

Companies are racing to claim patents on genetic materials from all over the world on which they hope to reap large profits ­ in order, they argue, to fund research and innovation. But the new technologies raise many new questions of science, law, ethics and economics, and patent and intellectual property laws have not kept up. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) will be under pressure in 1999 from the agricultural biotech industry side to globalise and strengthen patent protection ­ while opponents will argue that plant varieties should be excluded and new mechanisms found for sharing the benefits of genetic material with communities and farmers who may have nurtured and used it for generations.

The debate over GM crops and their patents rages around the world, whether on farms or in law courts. Key to its resolution will be people's access to accurate, understandable information, not public relations hype or scaremongering.

Details of the briefing received and also other publications produced by the Panos Institute are on the Website: http://www.oneworld.org/panos/