The Use of GM Crops in Developing Countries
Summary of case studies
3.65 We briefly summarize the possible benefits and risks which have been illustrated by the eight case studies. Current evidence suggests the following advantages of specific GM crops:
- The use of Bt cotton has resulted in more efficient and selective pest control, reduced applications of pesticides, reduction of environmental degradation, increased health benefits for farm workers and increased profits for farmers (case study 1).
- Improved resistance to environmental stresses such as cold, moisture-stress and high salt levels in the soil can be achieved in GM rice (case study 2).
- The yield in rice can be increased more efficiently by means of ‘dwarfing’, (case study 3), while maintaining the benefits of locally well adapted varieties.
- There is potential for the production of micronutrient-enriched rice which could make a significant contribution to prevent health problems such as VAD (case study 4).
- Case study 5 showed that the use of GM virus-resistant sweet potatoes could prevent dramatic and frequent reductions in yield of one of the major food crops of many poor people in Africa.
- Case study 6 on GM bananas illustrated the possibility of achieving protection against serious fungal diseases and reduction in pesticide use, with direct financial and healthrelated benefits for farmers and farm workers. Since bananas produce sterile pollen and only reproduce asexually, genetic modification could also help to produce a more diverse range of varieties, which would allow for additional protection against pests.
- Case study 7 demonstrated the possibility of reducing the use of environmentally damaging herbicides by the introduction of glyphosate resistant GM soybeans. In the absence of royalty fees being levied, farmers were able to increase their profit margins as a consequence of reduced costs for seeds and herbicides.
- Although somewhat more distant in terms of practical application, GM crops may also offer inexpensive and far-reaching provision of vaccines against diseases such as severe diarrhoea and possibly hepatitis (case study 8).
3.66 We also noted the following possible risks associated with these benefits:
- The occurrence of gene flow, and the potential impact on other plants and organisms needs to be considered in the case of all GM crops which have been discussed, with the exception of bananas (case study 6). Transgenes inserted into crops for the production of biopharmaceuticals (case study 8) will require special consideration. The possibility of gene flow will also need to be considered carefully where a GM crop is planted in an area which serves as a site for in situ conservation of plant cultivars.
- Case studies 1 and 7 showed that the effects of genetic modification on insects and animals that may feed on the GM crop need to be evaluated. This aspect may be of particular relevance where crops have been modified to contain substances which wild relatives of the respective crops would not normally contain.
- There were also questions related to the setting of priorities: should developments such as Golden Rice (case study 4) or the production of biopharmaceuticals (case study 8) be pursued, if there could be other ways to achieve the same end? Would investments in these crops distract attention and resources from other approaches?
- Agrochemical companies and others who own IPRs for technologies necessary for the development of GM crops can have considerable influence over the availability of GM crops, as was clear from the case study on Golden Rice (case study 4), Bt cotton (case study 1), and on RR soybean (case study 7).
- The case study on Bt cotton (case study 1) showed that a multitude of factors determine whether or not the use of such GM crops is preferable to conventional crops. Some relevant factors are: the incidence of pests; the impact of pest control on other pests that might require additional applications of pesticides; the effective management of refuges; resistance of pests to toxins; and the size of any technology fee.
- Case study 7 on RR soybeans illustrated that particular care needs to be given to GM crops which have the potential of reducing labour. This can have negative consequences for those developing countries which have populations of working age unaffected by, for example, HIV/AIDS, and which practise non-mechanised agriculture. 3.67 We next consider arguments in relation to these potential risks and benefits, and possible ways to balance them.