Presenter: Prof. Robert L. Paarlberg, Wellesley College
Commentator: Dr. Calestous Juma, Harvard University

Farmers have benefited from advances in agricultural technology for centuries, but the latest innovation, transgenic modification of crops has generated considerable controversy. It is well known that whereas genetically modified (GM) crops have been grown extensively in Argentina, Canada, and the United States since 1996, environmental and consumer groups have largely blocked the GM crop revolution in Europe and Japan. It is less clear, however, what choices developing countries will make toward the new technology.

Prof. Robert Paarlberg will present an up-to-date snapshot and analysis of developing-country policies towards GM crops for four countries: Brazil, China, India, and Kenya, using a system he has devised for classifying policy choices toward GM crops in the areas of intellectual property rights, food safety, biosafety, trade, and public research investment. He will explain the differences among the four countries in these policy areas, and will offer lessons for other developing countries grappling with these controversial issues.

Prof. Paarlberg is a professor of political science at Wellesley College and an associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. Copies of his 2020 discussion paper, Governing the GM Crop Revolution: Policy Choices for Developing Countries (December 2000), will be available at the meeting.

Dr. Juma is with the Center for International Development, Kennedy School of Government, at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Download the Discussion Paper and Brief

2020 Discussion Paper 33

2020 Brief 68

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