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Political Economy & Sociology of Agricultural Biotechnology

Seoul National University – Hokkaido University 4th Joint Symposium, Oct 21-23, 2001, Seoul, Korea. Political Economy & Sociology of Agricultural Biotechnology. Shuji HISANO Graduate School of Agriculture Hokkaido University. Our Viewpoints on Science & Technology.

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Political Economy & Sociology of Agricultural Biotechnology

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  1. Seoul National University – Hokkaido University 4th Joint Symposium, Oct 21-23, 2001, Seoul, Korea Political Economy & Sociology of Agricultural Biotechnology Shuji HISANO Graduate School of Agriculture Hokkaido University

  2. Our Viewpoints on Science & Technology • Rhetoric of Neutrality embedded in Science & Technology should be Questioned • Science & Technology are shaped in the context of political economy • Current development of agricultural biotechnology reflects a decision-making process in which various interests are concerned

  3. Consumers’ Concerns Evolving • Just fear to eat “Frankenstein-foods” • Concerns about possible adverse effects on environment • Recognition of institutional failures in risk management (or distrust of regulatory process) • Recognition of political and market power behind GMO commercialization pushed ahead • Suspicious about “techno-fix” solution as a means to alleviate world hunger

  4. Choices for Future Agriculture to Address Hunger Problem • Expand the area of farmland ⇒ deforestation and loss of biodiversity • Increase production in exporting countries to feed the world efficiently ⇒ Expansion and liberalization of food trade have resulted in deterioration of food security in importing countries • Increase total farm productivity in the countries which most need the food ⇒ Can GM technology help those countries to increase productivity and improve food security?

  5. Feeding the World is not a Simple Problem • GM tech may address the amount and qualityof food available • GM tech cannot deal with the issues of access and distribution • What is the cause of hunger on earth? • Production? …..No(only a few cases Yes) • Poverty and Uneven Land Distribution? …..Yes • They need Money (vitamin M) to buy food and Land (vitamin L) to farm by themselves for themselves ⇒ GM tech (vitamin A) is not the answer

  6. “Appropriate Biotechnology” Is Possible? • A Handful TNCs control key techs and resources • As far as poor farmers can’t afford GMOs, they are not TNCs’ customers • We appreciate some of them for collaborating with researchers to develop poor farmer-oriented GMO • But, their patented tech and strategic resources continue to be available freely or cheaply? • Public institutions and University are suffering from lack of money and depend on TNCs’ funds • Without changing framework, can “appropriate biotech” be shaped by public support?

  7. “Paradigm Shift”-- Sustainable Agricultural System -- Prof. Pretty’s Survey of 208 projects from 52 countries shows; • Remarkable yield increase • Better use of locally-available natural resources • Improved human capital building (empowerment) • Economically, environmentally, and socially viable and positive to local livelihood • Why not allocate enough money & resources to such a research and practices?

  8. Our Viewpoints on Science & Technology • Limitations of “Sound-Science” Approach and Economic Approach • There remain a lot of uncertainties • We don’t know exactly the whole system of DNA, genome, human body, ecosystem, and relations among these sub-systems • We don’t know long-term effects of GMOs • We don’t have any absolute criteria to cope with and calculate these uncertain risk and/or benefit in terms of money

  9. Our Viewpoints onScience & Technology • Democratization of Science & Technology • Citizens’ involvement in decision-making processes is important • Because….everyone is a participant in a global experiment with GMOs • Decisions must be accomplished through a process of debate and negotiation in which all stakeholders have a voice

  10. Democratizing Process in Consensus Conference Civil society (all stakeholders) Citizen Panel (with diverse backgrounds) Debate & Negotiation Expert Panel Natural scientists Social scientists Interdisciplinary….? Company Regulator Journalists NGOs

  11. Conclusion • Interdisciplinary research to evaluate this new technology or the direction of its innovation • Informed democratic debate on science & technology in which all stakeholders involved and have a voice • These are the indispensable steps for us to fulfill our social responsibilities

  12. Bio-Majors Control Everything # Bayer announced the agreement to acquire Aventis CropScience recently.

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