Position
Statements on Biotechnology
United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Website: http://www.undp.org
UNDP
2001 Report Supports Biotechnology
The Human Development Report 2001 commissioned by the United Nations Development
Programme provides an analysis of the potential of biotechnology and information/communications
technology for developing countries, particularly in reducing world poverty.
Developed
countries have been urged to put aside their fears of genetically modified
organisms and help poorer nations unlock the potentials of biotechnology. "Biotechnology
offers the only or the best 'tool of choice' for marginal ecological
zones, left behind by the green revolution but home to more than half
of the world's poorest people," the Report said.
Highlights
of the Report include the following insights:
- The
potential of biotechnology has barely been exploited. While the area
planted to genetically modified (GM) crops increased from 2 million
hectares in 1996 to 44 million hectares in 2000, 98% of that was
in three countries: the United States, Canada and Argentina.
- The current
debates in Europe and the US over GM crops ignore the concerns and
needs of developing countries. Western consumers who do not face
food shortages or nutritional deficiencies or work in the fields
are more likely to focus on food safety and the potential loss of
biodiversity. Farming communities in developing countries are more
likely to focus on potentially higher yields and greater nutritional
value and reduced need for pesticides.
- Regulated
planting of biotech crops could reduce malnutrition and starvation
in developing countries. Industry and governments should therefore
increase investment to develop hardier strains of millet, sorghum,
soybeans and other crops that feed much of the world's population.
- The benefits
of GM crops to developing countries are likely to outweigh their
risks if their use is properly controlled. Developed countries should
consider their expanded use on a case-to-case basis. The risks of
GM crops would be best managed if rich and poor nations interacted
more, and also if developing countries like China were to share their
information more widely.
- While
acknowledging that risks to human health and the environment had
fueled mistrust of new technologies, language has become a political
weapon. 'Traitor technologies and 'frankenfoods', for example instill
fear and anxiety. However, there has not been a single proven death
from GM foods. While food safety is an important issue, the more
dominant issue is lack of food.
- There
should be mandatory labeling of GM crops so that consumers and nations
can make informed decisions.
- Problems
with biotechnology and food safety are often the result of poor policies,
inadequate regulation and lack of transparency. Countries like Argentina
and Egypt however, are examples of developing countries that are
moving forward in creating national guidelines, approval procedure
and research institutes to evaluate the risks of GM crops.
Click
here to download the full report. |
International
Support:
- International
Organizations
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- North
America
- Latin
America
- Oceania
International
Organizations
- Food
and Agricultural Organization
- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
- World Health Organization
- United Nations Development Programme
- United Nations Environment Programme
- Third World Academy of Sciences
- Agenda
21
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
- Vatican Pontifical Academy on Life
- International
Council for Science Union
- International
Life Sciences Institute
Africa
- International
Society of African Scientists
- United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
- Africabio
- South African Minister Ngubane's statement at WSSD
- National Biotechnology Strategy for South Africa
- Former Kenyan President Moi's letter to US President Clinton
- Nigerian
President Obasanjo's Statement
Asia
- Asian
Development Bank
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Indian National Academy of Sciences
- National Academy of Science and Technology (Philippines)
- Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir's Speech
at BioMalaysia 2002
- Policy Statement on Biotechnology (Philippines)
Europe
- Royal
Society of London
- Prime
Minister Blair's speech
- European
Commission
- French
Academy of Science
North
America
United
States of America
- American
Medical Association
- American Society for Microbiology
- National Academy of Sciences
- National Research Council
- American Society of Plant Biologists
- Federation of Animal Science Societies
- American Midwest Farmers
- American
Agri-Women
- American
Soybean Association
- National
Chicken Council
- National
Corn Growers Association
- National
Cotton Council
- National
Milk Producers Federation
- National
Potato Council
- National
Turkey Federation
- United
Soybean Board
Canada
- Canadian
Biotechnology Advisory Committee
- The
Royal Society of Canada (The Canadian Academy of the Sciences and Humanities)
- Industry
Canada (Federal Department of Industry)
- The
1998 Canadian Biotechnology Strategy: A Ongoing Renewal Process
Latin
America
- Brazilian
Academy of Sciences
- Mexican Academy of Sciences
Oceania
- New
Zealand Royal Commission
- Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
- Australia New Zealand Food Authority
- Australian Biotechnology: A National Strategy (2000)
- National
Farmers' Federation |