ICTSD Outputs and Activities on Biotechnology, Trade and Sustainble Development

Biotechnology: Addressing Key Trade and Sustainability Issues

B.1 Environmental, health-related and socio-economic considerations

Concerns over the environmental and health impacts of biotechnology have fuelled the controversy on the approval and commercialisation of biotech products. The construction of a regulatory framework that addresses public concerns, yet at the same time considers the developmental potential offered by technology, requires policy-makers to carefully consider and balance the possible risks and benefits. Indeed, the many examples that different sides of the debate have pointed to as proof of the surplus of risks over benefits – or vice versa – have been landmark cases in the war of rhetoric and scientific proof that has been waged to capture the hearts and minds of the public, media and government. Whether GMOs will harm or enhance the environment; whether there are any threats to human health; and the potential for biotechnology to alleviate poverty are just some of the issues that are discussed by interest groups, biotechnology corporations, governments, scientists and the media. Making sense of the often contradictory stories can seem difficult, if not impossible. Varying interpretations of the impacts of biotechnology on health, the environment and poverty lead in turn to different regulatory approaches to the safety of biotechnology products. This section will attempt to provide a brief but comprehensive review of the environmental, health and socio-economic considerations that have been raised by biotechnology with the aim of making the issues, and their differing interpretations, more clear. The section will conclude by looking at the potential benefits of biotechnology for producers and consumers and the structure of research in the sector.

Q1 Are GMOs harmful to human health?

Q2 Are GMOs harmful to the environment?

Q3 Can genetically modified, conventional and organic crops be grown in one country?

Q4 Can agricultural biotechnology contribute to food security, poverty alleviation and rural development in developing countries?

Q5 What are the benefits of biotech products to consumers?

Q6 Should biotech products be subject to different rules than other technologies?

Q7 What has been the role of the private and public sectors in biotechnology research?

References and further reading