Biotech Updates

Taking Root: Global Trends in Agricultural Biotechnology

January 21, 2015

The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs has released a discussion paper "Taking Root: Global Trends in Agricultural Biotechnology", authored by Calestous Juma and Katherine Gordon, Director and Project Coordinator, respectively, of the Science, Technology, and Globalization Project at Harvard Kennedy School.

The paper reviews the evidence on global trends in the application of agricultural biotechnology and identifies some of their important benefits. The paper is cognizant that biotechnology alone cannot solve the world's agricultural challenge, and though it is not a silver bullet, it should still be included in the package of technological options available to farmers. The evidence available today suggests that public policy should appeal more to pragmatism and less to ideology when seeking solutions to global agricultural challenges.

The paper is available for download at http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/files/TakingRoot.pdf. For more details, read http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/24899/taking_root.html?breadcrumb=%2Fpublication%2Fby_type%2Facademic_papers_reports.