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A major theme in IFPRI's strategy is food- and nutrition-related science and technology policy, with a focus on how to make technological innovations relevant, safe, and accessible to poor people. The opportunities and risks that agricultural biotechnology including genetically modified organisms (GMOs), present for smallholder farming systems, poor consumers, biodiversity, and trade are high on our research agenda, together with biosafety policy issues, which encompass environmental and food safety considerations. IFPRI attempts to connect these fundamental biological and policy regimes to its commitment to improve livelihoods and reduce poverty in developing countries.

IFPRI acknowledges that among the biotechnologies, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are controversial. In accordance with standard practice in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), IFPRI therefore favors public dialogue and transparency in conducting research on GMO technology. IFPRI provides concepts for designing such dialogues among all relevant players, including governments, parliaments, civil society, and the private sector. IFPRI takes a holistic approach to biotechnology research, examining aspects from biosafety to social issues, and the functioning of regulatory bodies, all of which shape GMO science and policy.

The development of molecular biology and biosafety is subject to numerous international agreements, intellectual property considerations, and research and regulatory capacities that operate under rapidly changing circumstances. Furthermore, technologies, genetic traits, and new knowledge accumulate at a rapid pace in the fast-growing world of biotechnology. This complex and dynamic environment creates major challenges for decisionmakers and researchers. IFPRI continually reviews and comments on related bio-policies, especially from the perspective of developing countries and poor people.

Within this context, IFPRI will support developing countries by providing research-based information and capacity development that will increase the accuracy and efficiency of their decision making with respect to biotechnology and biosafety.

IFPRI acknowledges that ultimately the decisions on these topics will be made by sovereign national bodies, consumers, and farmers, weighing risks and benefits of using or not using technologies.

Agricultural biotechnologies are a broad and promising area of science. The use and development of genetically modified (GM) crops is one option that developing countries are considering to meet food needs, reduce poverty, and enhance environmental sustainability through improved productivity. Policy research should address all aspects of this process, from product research to product approval, introduction, and marketing, and should help ensure that all steps are undertaken in a transparent way.

IFPRI does not advocate or take a general position on the utility and safety of GM crops, as these are to a considerable extent context- and technology-specific. It seeks to provide information that will allow others to make informed choices.