The use of genetically modified crops in developing countries

Abstract

"In May 1999, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics published a Report on Genetically modified crops: the ethical and social issues. One conclusion of the Report was that genetically modified (GM) crops had considerable potential to improve food security and the effectiveness of the agricultural sector in developing countries. Since then, a highly polarised debate on the risks and benefits associated with the use of GM crops has continued and intensified. This debate has focused predominantly on the needs of European countries, with little attention paid to the impact of research on GM crops for agriculture in the developing world. However, the total acreage planted with GM crops in developing countries has more than doubled since 1999 and research has continued. In October 2002 the Council decided that the implications of these developments deserved further examination. In order to contribute to the continuing debate in the UK and elsewhere, we have reviewed relevant recent evidence. Our objective has been to reassess the potential contribution that GM crops could make towards improving the effectiveness of agriculture in developing countries." (p. x iii)