Biopiracy by another name? by GRAIN | 24 Oct 2002 Seedling - October 2002 Several years ago, an agreement was made between the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research to protect the world's genetic resources - at least those tucked away in gene banks - from misappropriation and abuse. This important, but little talked about agreement, is up for renegotiation. What is the importance of this trusteeship agreement and where is it taking us? Several years ago, an agreement was made between the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research to protect the world's genetic resources - at least those tucked away in gene banks - from misappropriation and abuse. This important, but little talked about agreement, is up for renegotiation. What is the importance of this trusteeship agreement and where is it taking us?
'Better dead than GM fed?' by GRAIN | 21 Oct 2002 Seedling - October 2002 The debate over the issue of genetically modified (GM) food has risen to new levels of intensity over recent months over the issue of GM food aid to Southern Africa. Most of this aid comes from the US, which is widely being seen as using the famine to force GM crops into Africa and elsewhere. GRAIN says no to GM food aid and argues for a strategy that is based around a long-term vision of food security in the region. The debate over the issue of genetically modified (GM) food has risen to new levels of intensity over recent months over the issue of GM food aid to Southern Africa. Most of this aid comes from the US, which is widely being seen as using the famine to force GM crops into Africa and elsewhere. GRAIN says no to GM food aid and argues for a strategy that is based around a long-term vision of food security in the region.
The past predicts the Future: GM crops and Africa's farmers by Devlin Kuyek | 18 Oct 2002 Seedling - October 2002 Africa has become the latest target for empire-building biotechnology companies. What will the introduction of GM crops mean for Africa, and its small farmers in particular? Is there any reason to believe that the new gene revolution' will be any more successful than the failed green revolution in Africa? This edited version of a new GRAIN briefing looks at the forces behind the push for Africa, asks whether GM crops are safe and questions the supposed benefits that some African farmers are anticipating. Africa has become the latest target for empire-building biotechnology companies. What will the introduction of GM crops mean for Africa, and its small farmers in particular? Is there any reason to believe that the new gene revolution' will be any more successful than the failed green revolution in Africa? This edited version of a new GRAIN briefing looks at the forces behind the push for Africa, asks whether GM crops are safe and questions the supposed benefits that some African farmers are anticipating.
The Biodiversity Convention: 10 years on by Elizabeth Bravo | 15 Oct 2002 Seedling - October 2002 At the Earth Summit in Rio ten years ago, the Biodiversity Convention was all people could talk about. There was something in it for everyone. Governments would benefit from becoming recognised as owners' of their genetic resources; local people from their role as custodians; companies from new profits to be made; and the whole world from novel medicines and other products. To cap it all, the worlds biodiversity would be protected and conserved. Ten years on, the pictures is not quite as rosy, says Elizabeth Bravo. At the Earth Summit in Rio ten years ago, the Biodiversity Convention was all people could talk about. There was something in it for everyone. Governments would benefit from becoming recognised as owners' of their genetic resources; local people from their role as custodians; companies from new profits to be made; and the whole world from novel medicines and other products. To cap it all, the worlds biodiversity would be protected and conserved. Ten years on, the pictures is not quite as rosy, says Elizabeth Bravo.
Benny Haerlin - SOS Save our Seeds by GRAIN | 4 Oct 2002 Seedling - October 2002 Benedikt (Benny) Haerlin has worn many hats in the fight against genetically modified organisms (GMOs): campaigner, journalist and politician to name a few. Back in the early days of the GM issue, he served one legislative period (84-89) as Member of the European Parliament (Green Party, Germany), where he specialised in genetic engineering issues. He founded the Gen-ethic Network in Germany in 1987 and worked for several years as International Coordinator of Greenpeace International's Genetic Engineering Campaign. He is now coordinator of the Save our Seeds campaign, which is trying to keep GMOs out of the European seed supply. Here he offers some perspective on where the GM foods issue has come from and where it is headed. Benedikt (Benny) Haerlin has worn many hats in the fight against genetically modified organisms (GMOs): campaigner, journalist and politician to name a few. Back in the early days of the GM issue, he served one legislative period (84-89) as Member of the European Parliament (Green Party, Germany), where he specialised in genetic engineering issues. He founded the Gen-ethic Network in Germany in 1987 and worked for several years as International Coordinator of Greenpeace International's Genetic Engineering Campaign. He is now coordinator of the Save our Seeds campaign, which is trying to keep GMOs out of the European seed supply. Here he offers some perspective on where the GM foods issue has come from and where it is headed.
October 2002 by GRAIN | 2 Oct 2002 Seedling - October 2002 Shalini Bhutani provides details of GRAIN's work in India. Shalini Bhutani provides details of GRAIN's work in India.
Resources by GRAIN | 1 Oct 2002 Seedling - October 2002 We review 17 reports and books in the October issue of Seedling, under headings of Genetic Engineering, IPR, Sustainable Agriculture, Agricultural Trade and Unfair Subsidies, Genetic Resources, and People and Processes. We review 17 reports and books in the October issue of Seedling, under headings of Genetic Engineering, IPR, Sustainable Agriculture, Agricultural Trade and Unfair Subsidies, Genetic Resources, and People and Processes.
Common Ground: A vision from the South Asia-Canada dialogue on the future of agriculture by GRAIN | 9 Sep 2002 BIO-IPR (1997-2009)