AgBioForum, vol. 02, no. 3 & 4 (1999)
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This issue's title is: "The Economics of Biotechnology in Developing Countries." Click on one of the browse buttons above for a complete listing of the contents of this issue.
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Item Public agricultural research and the protection of intellectual property : issues and options(AgBioForum, 1999) Maredia, Mywish K.; Erbisch, Frederic H.; Naseem, Anwar; Hightower, Amie; Oehmke, James F.; Weatherspoon, Dave D.; Wolf, Christopher A. (Christopher Allen)This paper discusses the significance of intellectual property (IP) protection by public research institutes. It argues that such protection can be compatible with the mission of public organizations, especially in cases where private firms will underinvest due to thin markets, high development costs or technological complexity. The paper outlines the main reasons for obtaining IP protection by way of examples from the Michigan State University experience.Item Who gains from genetic improvements in U.S. crops?(AgBioForum, 1999) Frisvold, George B.; Sullivan, John; Raneses, AntonThe distribution of gains of plant breeding and plant genetic resource exchange has beenthe source of heated North-South debates in meetings of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. We report results of a study using a world agricultural trade model to estimate the sizeand distribution of economic gains from yield increases in major United States (U.S.) crops attributable to genetic improvements. The net global economic benefits of a onetime, permanent increase in U.S. yields are about $8.1 billion (discounted at 10%) and $15.4 billion (discounted at 5%). The United States captures 50-60% of these net gains. Gains to consumers in developing and transitional economies range from 6.1 billion (10% discount rate) to $11.6 billion (5% discount rate).Item Strengthening the case for why biotechnology will not help the developing world : a response to McGloughlin(AgBioForum, 1999) Altieri, Miguel A.; Rosset, PeterUpon reflecting on McGloughlin's response to our original essay it becomes quite clear that we and she speak from different world views. Where she sees simple problems that can be solved with quick technological fixes provided by private industry, we see an unequal world where problems like hunger are the product of inequality, and can only be solved by striking at that inequality head on. In what follows we briefly respond to a number of her points.Item Feeding a world of six billion(AgBioForum, 1999) Prakash, C. S.There has been a massive increase in food production in the past few decades - not only in the world's granaries like the United States (U.S.), Canada or Australia, but also in China and India. This increase has been spurred by science-based crop improvement programs, along with improved access to irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides, better credit; and also as a result of better market policies. International agricultural centers, such as the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines and the International Center for the Improvement of Maize and Wheat (CIMMYT) in Mexico have helped increase grain yield several fold, especially in the poor countries. Scientists have made our crops more productive, more resistant to pests and helped them to grow faster and with enhanced nutritional benefits. But we need to do more.Item Biotechnology in the global economy : beyond technical advances and risks(AgBioForum, 1999) Juma, CalestousAgricultural biotechnology is the subject of extensive public debates in many countries. This article presents a summary of the results of the International Conference onBiotechnology in the Global Economy held in September 1999 at Harvard University. The article argues that many of the debates are a result of a governance crisis involving the failure to bring social institutions in line with advances in biotechnology. It proposes a set of measures for doing so. These include: promoting consultative processes; undertaking scientific and technical assessments; conducting research and training; reforming national and regional policies and institutions; harmonizing standards and sharing experiences; and facilitating technological cooperation with developing countries.