Despite the introduction of the Cartagena Protocol in 2000, countries are increasingly facilitating the entry of GM crops. According the international NGO GRAIN and many other civil society groups, GM crops are completely incompatible with the principles of food sovereignty. This text argues that if GM crops are in, then biosafety is out. The piece describes the impact the GM lobby has had on countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America with regards to maintaining biosafety legislation. It also highlights how political processes surrounding biosafety laws and policies are disconnected from the populations they are supposed to serve. However, the article concludes, the social movements forming to fight this are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
- Document also available in pdf format
- See also “USAID - Making the world hungry for GM crops”
- For an alternative view, the author of this article argues that it is not GMO which pose a threat (on the contrary, the author sees many benefits), but patenting on life: Le vrai problème des OGM : les brevets sur le vivant