Letter from Bob Phelps of the Gene Ethics Network on the Sydney University report 'A Snapshot of Roundup Ready Cotton inAustralia' by | 15 Aug 2004 The actual study is available in PDF below The actual study is available in PDF below
Researchers employ genetic engineering: Cotton varieties by Muhammad Ilyas, The Dawn, Pakistan, 8 Aug 2004 | 10 Aug 2004 Pakistan to prohibit foreign Bt cotton varieties, citing disease susceptibility and regulatory constraints. Country wil pursue development of its own Bt cotton. Pakistan to prohibit foreign Bt cotton varieties, citing disease susceptibility and regulatory constraints. Country wil pursue development of its own Bt cotton.
Trinity County, California, USA becomes second board to ban genetically engineered crops and animals by Various | 9 Aug 2004
Bilateral investment agreements: Agents of new global standards for the protection of intellectual property rights? by Carlos M. Correa | 3 Aug 2004 This study was commissioned by GRAIN as an independent exploration into the implications of bilateral investment treaties, and free trade agreements with chapters on investment, in terms of international standards for the protection of intellectual property rights. GRAIN is making this study publicly available, through its website, as a resource for further research and analysis. This study was commissioned by GRAIN as an independent exploration into the implications of bilateral investment treaties, and free trade agreements with chapters on investment, in terms of international standards for the protection of intellectual property rights. GRAIN is making this study publicly available, through its website, as a resource for further research and analysis.
Bilateral investment agreements and global IPR standards: Why this study? by GRAIN | 3 Aug 2004 Why we commissioned the report on BITS in August 2004. Why we commissioned the report on BITS in August 2004.
Community or commodity: What future for traditional knowledge? by GRAIN | 29 Jul 2004 Seedling - July 2004 Do we need intellectual property protection to safeguard the continued development of traditional knowledge systems? Do we need intellectual property protection to safeguard the continued development of traditional knowledge systems?
The day the sun dies: contamination and resistance in Mexico by Silvia Ribeiro | 27 Jul 2004 Seedling - July 2004
Twelve reasons for Africa to reject GM crops by Zachary Makanya | 25 Jul 2004 Seedling - July 2004 Africa is in danger of becoming the dumping ground for the struggling GM industry and the laboratory for frustrated scientists. The proponents of GM technology sell a sweet message of GM crops bringing the second green revolution and the answer to African hunger, but a closer look makes it clear that GM crops have no place in African agriculture. Here are twelve reasons why. Africa is in danger of becoming the dumping ground for the struggling GM industry and the laboratory for frustrated scientists. The proponents of GM technology sell a sweet message of GM crops bringing the second green revolution and the answer to African hunger, but a closer look makes it clear that GM crops have no place in African agriculture. Here are twelve reasons why.
Glossary No. 2: Agricultural Research: What's in a name? (More than you might think) by GRAIN | 22 Jul 2004 Seedling - July 2004 Many of us often have to struggle with words and concepts that are used as though they have one single and simple meaning, while in reality they hide strong bias and very specific worldviews. Not surprisingly, they are usually biased towards the worldviews of those in power. There have also been words and concepts which were well-intentioned when coined but that have been corrupted over time through inappropriate usage, thereby acquiring more complicated connotations and implications. When we use these words, we often unwillingly but unavoidably become trapped in political and philosophical frameworks which block our ability to challenge the power that backs those views. In the following pages, GRAIN takes a critical look at some such key concepts related to agricultural research. This follows an earlier effort to look at key concepts related to knowledge, biodiversity and intellectual property rights that we undertook in the January 2004 Seedling . Many of the following words and phrases look innocent enough at a first glance, but on deeper examination, we can see how they are used to serve particular agendas. Some are used to constrain us and lock us into a particular way of thinking, and others are used against us. This is not an exercise aimed at drawing final conclusions, but an invitation to deconstruct some definitions and start the search for new terminology and ways of thinking that may help us untangle some of the conceptual traps we are stuck in. Your comments are welcome. Many of us often have to struggle with words and concepts that are used as though they have one single and simple meaning, while in reality they hide strong bias and very specific worldviews. Not surprisingly, they are usually biased towards the worldviews of those in power. There have also been words and concepts which were well-intentioned when coined but that have been corrupted over time through inappropriate usage, thereby acquiring more complicated connotations and implications. When we use these words, we often unwillingly but unavoidably become trapped in political and philosophical frameworks which block our ability to challenge the power that backs those views. In the following pages, GRAIN takes a critical look at some such key concepts related to agricultural research. This follows an earlier effort to look at key concepts related to knowledge, biodiversity and intellectual property rights that we undertook in the January 2004 Seedling . Many of the following words and phrases look innocent enough at a first glance, but on deeper examination, we can see how they are used to serve particular agendas. Some are used to constrain us and lock us into a particular way of thinking, and others are used against us. This is not an exercise aimed at drawing final conclusions, but an invitation to deconstruct some definitions and start the search for new terminology and ways of thinking that may help us untangle some of the conceptual traps we are stuck in. Your comments are welcome.
Objections to the Application made by Syngenta South Africa in Respect of transgenic events for cotton to the National Department of Agriculture, South Africa by Mariam Mayet and Shenz Moola, African Centre for Biosafety, 11 July 2004 | 22 Jul 2004