The latest from GRAIN

THE PHILIPPINES: A BRIDLE ON BIOPROSPECTING?

The Convention on Biodiversity says countries should regulate access to genetic resources. The mechanisms to do this are starting to emerge at the regional, subregional and national levels. A case study of the Philippines' now-famous Executive Order 247 governing bioprospecting.

The Convention on Biodiversity says countries should regulate access to genetic resources. The mechanisms to do this are starting to emerge at the regional, subregional and national levels. A case study of the Philippines' now-famous Executive Order 247 governing bioprospecting.

SOYBEAN: THE HIDDEN COMMODITY

Genetically-engineered herbicide-tolerant soybean gained worldwide public attention due to consumer opposition in Europe. As with many other crops, the soybean market is characterised by increasing consolidation of corporate control over it, specially through genetechnology R&D strategies.

Genetically-engineered herbicide-tolerant soybean gained worldwide public attention due to consumer opposition in Europe. As with many other crops, the soybean market is characterised by increasing consolidation of corporate control over it, specially through genetechnology R&D strategies.

THE YEAR OF AGRICULTURAL BIODIVERSITY REVISITED

1996 was a year of unprecedented international attention for agricultural biodiversity. But was any tangible progress made? GRAIN looks back.

1996 was a year of unprecedented international attention for agricultural biodiversity. But was any tangible progress made? GRAIN looks back.

THE DIRECTIVE RISES AGAIN

Two years ago, the European Parliament rejected a law proposal to allow for the patenting of life forms. Today it is back again before the parliamentarians in slightly modified form. An update from Brussels.

Two years ago, the European Parliament rejected a law proposal to allow for the patenting of life forms. Today it is back again before the parliamentarians in slightly modified form. An update from Brussels.

ROUNDUP READY OR NOT

Monsanto's Roundup Readyâ Soybean is causing an uproar among agricultural, environmental and consumer organisations. As a stunning example of where biotech farming will take us. GRAIN provides a brief summary of the debate.

Monsanto's Roundup Readyâ Soybean is causing an uproar among agricultural, environmental and consumer organisations. As a stunning example of where biotech farming will take us. GRAIN provides a brief summary of the debate.

RECIPE FOR DISASTER

Agribusiness corporations are hoping to make genetically modified organisms a permanent feature of our daily diet. But to get to that point they have to overcome consumer, environmental and health organisation's opposition and get past Mother Nature's roadblocks.

Agribusiness corporations are hoping to make genetically modified organisms a permanent feature of our daily diet. But to get to that point they have to overcome consumer, environmental and health organisation's opposition and get past Mother Nature's roadblocks.

INVESTING IN DESTRUCTION

In this article we review the impact of the World Bank operations on biodiversity over the last 30 years. Its current initiatives in that arena are, at best, merely attempts to put temporary band aids on the mortal wounds the Bank has inflicted on the world.

In this article we review the impact of the World Bank operations on biodiversity over the last 30 years. Its current initiatives in that arena are, at best, merely attempts to put temporary band aids on the mortal wounds the Bank has inflicted on the world.

LOCAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR FOOD SECURITY

This story from Guinea-Bissau (West Africa) tells how an interethnic technology transfer improved food security and led to the use of better adapted seeds.

This story from Guinea-Bissau (West Africa) tells how an interethnic technology transfer improved food security and led to the use of better adapted seeds.

SUI GENERIS - A DEAD END ALLEY

A self-critical evaluation on NGO's efforts to devise `sui generis' intellectual property systems that really serve to protect the rights of indigenous peoples and farming or other local communities.

A self-critical evaluation on NGO's efforts to devise `sui generis' intellectual property systems that really serve to protect the rights of indigenous peoples and farming or other local communities.

FREE TRADE VERSUS FOOD SECURITY

The preparatory process to the World Food Summit has been paved with power plays between the different development agendas, with free-trade and globalisation proponents ready to eliminate self-sufficiency as the main food security strategy.

The preparatory process to the World Food Summit has been paved with power plays between the different development agendas, with free-trade and globalisation proponents ready to eliminate self-sufficiency as the main food security strategy.

FROM LEIPZIG TO BUENOS AIRES

Governments and NGO's should take advantage of the CBD discussions on agricultural biodiversity, IPRs and the rights of local communities and indigenous peoples to counter further privatisation of genetic resources.

Governments and NGO's should take advantage of the CBD discussions on agricultural biodiversity, IPRs and the rights of local communities and indigenous peoples to counter further privatisation of genetic resources.

THE BIOTECH BATTLE OVER THE GOLDEN CROP

While maize is a major staple food for many countries in the South, in the North it is the main animal feed crop and, increasingly, a raw material for industrial use. An exploration of the infighting among the biotechnology actors for control over this "green gold".

While maize is a major staple food for many countries in the South, in the North it is the main animal feed crop and, increasingly, a raw material for industrial use. An exploration of the infighting among the biotechnology actors for control over this "green gold".