LECTURELECTURE

GEOG 270GEOG 270Fall 2007Fall 2007

November 28, 2007November 28, 2007

Joe Hannah, PhDJoe Hannah, PhDDepartment of GeographyDepartment of Geography

University of WashingtonUniversity of Washington

Policy Responses to Policy Responses to GMOs in Third World GMOs in Third World

CountriesCountries

““Permissive” Permissive” vs.vs. “Precautionary”“Precautionary”

Last Time: Last Time: Three Criteria for GMO BusinessThree Criteria for GMO Business

ProfitabilitySc

ienc

e

Law

GMOs

Today: Today: Focus on Law and PolicyFocus on Law and Policy

► Review “Permissive” Review “Permissive” vs. vs. ”Precautionary” approaches”Precautionary” approaches

► A little historyA little history►Some policy examples Some policy examples (from Paarlberg)(from Paarlberg)

““Permissive” Permissive” vs.vs. “Precautionary” Approaches“Precautionary” Approaches

►““Permissive Approach” favors allowing Permissive Approach” favors allowing an activity to continue until proof of an activity to continue until proof of either no effect or a negative impact is either no effect or a negative impact is obtained. obtained.

► “ “Precautionary” approach favors Precautionary” approach favors constraining an activity when there is constraining an activity when there is high scientific high scientific uncertaintyuncertainty regarding its regarding its effects on the natural environment;effects on the natural environment;

Rio Earth Summit Conference,Rio Earth Summit Conference,19921992

Principle 15:Principle 15:In order to protect the environment, the In order to protect the environment, the

precautionary approach shall be precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to widely applied by States according to

their capabilities. Where there are their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible threats of serious or irreversible

damage, lack of full scientific certainty damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for shall not be used as a reason for

postponing cost-effective measures to postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.prevent environmental degradation.

McGloughlin vs. Altieri & Rossett:McGloughlin vs. Altieri & Rossett:

Permissive or Preventive?Permissive or Preventive?

Risks of eating GMOs Risks of eating GMOs understudied, “unpredictable” understudied, “unpredictable”

((Altieri & Rossett)

Risks of eating GMOS “alarmist” Risks of eating GMOS “alarmist” ((McGloughlin)

McGloughlin vs. Altieri & Rossett:McGloughlin vs. Altieri & Rossett:

Permissive or Preventive?Permissive or Preventive?

There are many unanswered ecological questions regarding the impact of transgenic crops. Many environmental groups have argued for the creation of suitable regulation to mediate the testing and release of transgenic crops to offset environmental risks and demand a much better assessment and understanding of ecological issues associated with genetic engineering. (Altieri & Rossett)

McGloughlin vs. Altieri & Rossett:McGloughlin vs. Altieri & Rossett:

Permissive or Preventive?Permissive or Preventive?

Many of Altieri and Rosset's "unanswered ecological questions regarding the impact of transgenic crops" are not unanswered… This is not to say that environmental and

other impact assessment of biotechnology crops should not be expanded. Indeed, more impact assessment studies are needed to … answer any unanswered questions and put risks and benefits of

biotechnology crops and foods in a proper perspective. (McGloughlin)

A Little HistoryA Little History

► 1996-1999 bulk of 1996-1999 bulk of GMO plantings were GMO plantings were in US, Canada and in US, Canada and Argentina…Argentina…

► … … b/c GMOs b/c GMOs originally designed originally designed for wealthier for wealthier farmers in farmers in temporate climatestemporate climates

More history…More history…

►Starting in about 1997 – conscious policy Starting in about 1997 – conscious policy decisions decisions in First World countriesin First World countries to to restrict planting and consumption of GMO restrict planting and consumption of GMO cropscrops 1996 “Mad Cow” disease (not GMO-related)1996 “Mad Cow” disease (not GMO-related) 1997 Europe began adopting “precautionary 1997 Europe began adopting “precautionary

principle” approach to consumer marketing principle” approach to consumer marketing of GMO productsof GMO products

Japan and other Asia-Pacific countries soon Japan and other Asia-Pacific countries soon followed suitfollowed suit

Third World Policy Choices?Third World Policy Choices?► Result of US “permissive” approach Result of US “permissive” approach

and European/Japanese “precautionary” and European/Japanese “precautionary” approach has led to a complicated set approach has led to a complicated set of policy choices for Third World of policy choices for Third World countriescountries

►Great pressure to allow or restrict GMOs Great pressure to allow or restrict GMOs from:from:

Donors, international agencies, foundations, Donors, international agencies, foundations, corporations, trade organizations, NGOs, corporations, trade organizations, NGOs, farmers groups, governments, etc.farmers groups, governments, etc.Remember last time: Corporations undertaking huge lobbying efforts!

Two questions:Two questions:

► What is in the best interest of each What is in the best interest of each Third World country?Third World country?

► Is the private-industry (neo-liberal) Is the private-industry (neo-liberal) approach well-suited to addressing approach well-suited to addressing those interests (given weaker those interests (given weaker technical and regulatory capacities)?technical and regulatory capacities)?

Some Policy ExamplesSome Policy Examples(from Paarlberg, 2000)(from Paarlberg, 2000)

► Biosafety in Kenya (as of 2000)Biosafety in Kenya (as of 2000) Policy under the Ministry of Policy under the Ministry of

Science and technologyScience and technology Importing or growing GMOs under Importing or growing GMOs under

illegal 1998 lawillegal 1998 law Any permissions for use of GMOs Any permissions for use of GMOs

should take into account “whether should take into account “whether enough is known to evaluate the enough is known to evaluate the safety or risk”safety or risk”

Paarlberg: “precautionary tone” is Paarlberg: “precautionary tone” is probably due to European probably due to European influence in the drafting process influence in the drafting process of the law (Dutch funding, of the law (Dutch funding, Swedish model)Swedish model)

Some Policy ExamplesSome Policy Examples(from Paarlberg, 2000)(from Paarlberg, 2000)

► Biosafety in BrazilBiosafety in Brazil Policy under the Ministry of Policy under the Ministry of

Science and technology Science and technology Originally very permissive, leading Originally very permissive, leading

to Monsanto field testing Roundup-to Monsanto field testing Roundup-ready soybeansready soybeans

1998 lawsuit by consumer 1998 lawsuit by consumer protection organization protection organization restraining orderrestraining order

Precautionary principle applies Precautionary principle applies while various lawsuits are working while various lawsuits are working through the courtsthrough the courts

(Remember Kacy McKinney’s talk (Remember Kacy McKinney’s talk on the MST?)on the MST?)

Some Policy ExamplesSome Policy Examples(from Paarlberg, 2000)(from Paarlberg, 2000)

► Biosafety in ChinaBiosafety in China Early adoption of GM cropsEarly adoption of GM crops Policy formulation delegated Policy formulation delegated

to Ministry of Agricultureto Ministry of Agriculture Standards based on Standards based on

demonstrated riskdemonstrated risk rather rather than on uncertaintiesthan on uncertainties

GM crops considered no more GM crops considered no more dangerous than conventional dangerous than conventional cropscrops

Note that environmental Note that environmental NGOs heavily constrained in NGOs heavily constrained in ChinaChina

Stakeholder AnalysisStakeholder Analysis

► Each person or institution (like the Ministry Each person or institution (like the Ministry of Science or the Ministry of Agriculture or of Science or the Ministry of Agriculture or the local farmer) has specific interests at the local farmer) has specific interests at stake (thus “stakeholder”)stake (thus “stakeholder”)

► Is it in their interest to adopt a Is it in their interest to adopt a “permissive” or a “precautionary” “permissive” or a “precautionary” approach?approach?

►(This might be one part of the analysis in (This might be one part of the analysis in your paper… hint, hint…)your paper… hint, hint…)