AgBioForum, vol. 03, no. 1 (2000)
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This issue's title is: "The Economics of Neutriceuticals and Functional Foods." Click on one of the browse buttons above for a complete listing of the contents of this issue.
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Item The concept of natural : implications for biotechnology regulation(AgBioForum, 2000) Kershen, Drew L.The General Synod Board for Social Responsibility of the Church of England (1999) issued a report entitled Genetically Modified Organisms: A Briefing Paper. In this report, that is cautiously favorable towards biotechnology, the Synod Board states that enormous concern exists at the prospect of genetically modifying organisms arising from a sense that genetically modified foods are radically unnatural. In this paper, I will explore this concern that the genetic modification of organisms is unnatural as a reflection of competing concepts about the natural world. As I undertake this exploration, I acknowledge that the concept of the natural is immensely complex and that my comments barely grapple with the complexities. Despite these limitations, the concept of the natural B discerning the boundary between the natural and the unnatural B appears to be central to the debate about biotechnology.Item The economics of within-field Bt corn refuges(AgBioForum, 2000) Hyde, Jeffrey; Martin, Marshall A.; Preckel, Paul V.; Dobbins, Craig L.; Edwards, C. RichardFarmers who plant Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn are obligated to plant a 20% non-Bt corn refuge as part of an Insect Resistance Management program. This paper analyzes the economics of alternative refuge configurations. Ignoring potential genetically modified organism (GMO) separation requirements, planting strips is the least cost method of meeting the 20% refuge requirement.Item Negative labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) : the experience of rBST(AgBioForum, 2000) Runge, C. Ford (Carlisle Ford); Jackson, Lee AnnVoluntary negative labeling may provide a solution to the current controversy over labeling of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in agriculture. The U.S. experience in the dairy sector with milk from cows treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin offers an example of how a voluntary negative labeling strategy evolved.Item Labeling policy for GMOs : to each his own?(AgBioForum, 2000) Caswell, Julie A.GMO labeling policy for foods is under intense development. Countries are choosing mandatory labeling or adherence to voluntary labeling. Challenges to mandatory labeling are unlikely to be successful under current World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Marketers and trade negotiators should recognize this and move toward living with diversity in labeling policy.Item The comparative advantage of real options : an explanation for the US specialization in biotechnology(AgBioForum, 2000) Lavoie, Brian F.; Sheldon, Ian M.Comparative advantage based on resource endowments cannot explain United States (U.S.) leadership in biotechnology. Sources of heterogeneity within the process of research and development (R&D) investment, such as international differences in the maximum per-period rate of investment and regulatory uncertainty, offer a plausible explanation that can be incorporated into a real options approach to investment.