Status of Agricultural Biotechnology: An International Perspective

Abstract

This paper provides a review of health and environmental effects of GM crops (foods), intellectual property right developments, and regulatory developments for GM crops (foods). Estimates of realized and potential cost reductions are also reported. These estimates show that European Union countries (original EU member countries) have not taken advantage of cost reductions for GM crops to date. More importantly, estimates of potential cost reductions indicate that European Union countries have very low potential cost reduction gains. (Even with 80 percent GM crop adoption cost reductions, gains are around one percent.) However, because EU countries are net importers of many agricultural commodities, EU countries have a major impact on developing countries. Many developing countries in Africa have failed to adopt GM crops because of EU countries’ advice regarding the “precautionary principle.”