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The genomics revolution and development studies: Science, poverty and politics

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  • Ronald Herring

Abstract

The genomics revolution in biology has enabled technologies with unprecedented potential; genetic engineering is changing the terrain of development studies. Societies have reacted with indifference or appreciation to genetically engineered pharmaceuticals, beginning with insulin; yet for food and agriculture, a globally contentious politics and unprecedented policy dilemmas have arisen. Transgenic organisms raise questions of property, ethics and safety unimaginable a generation ago: what can be owned and with what responsibility? Much turns on science: how one conceptualizes evidence, knowledge, uncertainty and risk. Both opponents and proponents of frontier applications in biotechnology have a poverty story to tell, but with divergent implications. The balance in this global debate has perceptibly shifted; a new developmentalist consensus concludes that the world's poor may benefit from genetic engineering: the question is 'under what conditions'? This essay introduces a collection of scholarly treatments that begin with the needs of the poor - for income, nutrition, environmental integrity - and evaluate theory and evidence for contributions from transgenic crops. The new consensus assumes much about biosafety, bioproperty and biopolitics that is contrary to ground realities - the actual capacity of firms and states to monitor and control biotechnology - but raises new questions at the frontiers of development studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronald Herring, 2007. "The genomics revolution and development studies: Science, poverty and politics," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(1), pages 1-30.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:43:y:2007:i:1:p:1-30
    DOI: 10.1080/00220380601055502
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roberts, Donna & Josling, Timothy E. & Orden, David, 1999. "A Framework for Analyzing Technical Trade Barriers in Agricultural Markets," Technical Bulletins 33560, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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    1. David Kothamasi & Saskia Vermeylen, 2011. "Genetically modified organisms in agriculture: can regulations work?," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 13(3), pages 535-546, June.
    2. Swaminathan, Madhura & Rawal, Vikas, 2011. "Are there Benefits from the Cultivation of Bt Cotton? A Comment Based on Data from a Vidarbha Village," Review of Agrarian Studies, Foundation for Agrarian Studies, vol. 1(1), July.
    3. Rao, N. Chandrasekhara & Dev, S. Mahendra, 2009. "Socio-economic Impact of Transgenic Cotton," Agricultural Economics Research Review, Agricultural Economics Research Association (India), vol. 22(Conferenc).
    4. Ciarli, Tommaso & Ràfols, Ismael, 2019. "The relation between research priorities and societal demands: The case of rice," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(4), pages 949-967.
    5. Mozumdar, Lavlu & Islam, Mohammad & Saha, Sumitra, 2012. "Genetically modified organisms and sustainable crop production: A critical review," Journal of the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh Agricultural University Research System (BAURES), vol. 10.
    6. Ashok, K.R. & Uma, K. & Prahadeeswaran, M. & Jeyanthi, H., 2012. "Economic and Environmental Impact of Bt Cotton in India," Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, vol. 67(3), pages 1-24.
    7. Hsain Ilahiane & Marcie L. Venter, 2016. "Introduction: Technologies and the transformation of economies," Economic Anthropology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 3(2), pages 191-202, June.
    8. Michael Chappell & Liliana LaValle, 2011. "Food security and biodiversity: can we have both? An agroecological analysis," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 28(1), pages 3-26, February.
    9. Soleri, Daniela & Cleveland, David A. & Glasgow, Garrett & Sweeney, Stuart H. & Cuevas, Flavio Aragón & Fuentes, Mario R. & Ríos L., Humberto, 2008. "Testing assumptions underlying economic research on transgenic food crops for Third World farmers: Evidence from Cuba, Guatemala and Mexico," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(4), pages 667-682, November.
    10. Simon M. Outram, 2010. "Science communication in Sub-Saharan AFrica: The case of GMOs," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(3), pages 341-351.

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