Class Research Resources and Assignments
Week 7
Private
Lands - Public Problems
Supplementary
Materials for Week 6
This Week's Assigned Readings
Slides for Week 7 Lectures
Videos
of Week 7 Lectures
(Click pictures below for access to articles)
Prospectus
Due in Class - See Guidelines
and Titles of past papers
| "Viewed globally, the world's agricultural ecosystems on which all of us depend are evolving in directions and at rates we perceive only dimly at present. Our survival -- not merely as a nation-state, but as a species -- rests upon our awareness of the transformations in global agroecology and upon our capacity to mitigate their most destructive effects....it remains an open question whether a global ecosystem can sustain the food production strategies that are presently practiced or currently proposed." |
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T. C. Weiskel, "Food, Famine and the Frontier Mentality," (1981). |
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| One of the most
extensive uses of privately held land in America and throughout the
wider world is that involving agriculture. An examination of the
use of these lands reveals that private land management decisions often
lead to the generation or exacerbation of public problems. We need to
ask ourselves: How have agricultural lands been managed in the past?
What are the factors that lead farmers to manage their lands poorly? The international cash-crop/food-stuff trade has emerged as a global pattern of ecosystem organization as a legacy of the colonial domination of some peoples of the world by others. Colonialism as a political system has collapsed, but, for the most part, this fact has not halted the emerging trends in agricultural land use established under colonial rule. |
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In the recent evolution of agricultural systems concepts of "ownership" have been extended from land to the crops themselves -- and more particularly to the genetic material that they "express." Genetic materials of the world's major cultigens are being collected and stored in "gene banks" -- both private and public. Agribusiness corporations and many governments argue that this is necessary to assure the world's future food supplies. Others in the Third World regard the "privatization" of global plant genetic material as a form of "biopiracy" and fear that this form of private control over public resources is both socially unjust and ecologically destructive. Local land management decisions around the world in the agricultural sector are in many cases made in reference to these larger global market considerations. All decisions in this realm have imbedded ethical implications. |
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| Supplementary
Materials |
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Part one of Seeds of Trouble investigates the truth behind the conspiracy theories and the alleged bully boy tactics by the GM food industry - and its biggest fan: the US government. Genetically modified (GM) food was supposed to be the bright new dawn of agriculture, and the answer to world hunger. It unleashed a biological goldrush, which turned sour when shares lost value, debts mounted, and the corporations got rid of their agricultural biotech divisions, leaving them to sink or swim on their own. At the same time, pressure mounted on individual scientists, on activists who fought for the labelling of GM foods, and on various countries including those in the EU. Are these two trends
linked? Is the GM food industry turning to bully boy tactics in a desperate
fight for survival?
80% of America's
soy is now grown from genetically modified seed. Richard Hollingham
asks: are GMOs (genetically modified organisms) the future of farming,
or are they a reckless experiment with our food? |
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In addition, when you have the time,
you should link to the full length lectures (text and audio and video,
in some cases) for the |
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Finally, you may find helpful for further discussion of these matters some of the materials that were assembled here at Harvard in the Spring of 2000. On 28 April 2000, the Working Group on Environmental Justice here at Harvard co-sponsored a public debate: "The Genetic Revolution and Its Role in Developing Countries." For that debate, the Working Group assembled a number of resources which can be found on the web page devoted to: "Biotechnology and Environmental Justice." The material on this page is somewhat dated, and some of the links it provides to news stories are not longer valid. Nevertheless, there is useful material on the page for anyone wishing to pursue research on biotechnology and agriculture in the Third World. |
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What are the implict theories of community, system, authority, change, agency and time expressed in this article? What are the differences in these implicit theories present in the arguments of various environmental groups? |
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| What about other elements of the ecosystem which might be affected by the growing of GM crops? What is the appropriate theory of "system" involved in making judgments about the wisdom of genetically modified crops?
Or, beyond the "bugs," what about the impact on other crops and the diversity and viability of natural "ancestors" of major cultigens?
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| Consider as well the debates in Canada over these issues:
In Britain, the debate has been protracted and bitter. Moreover it has involved the public on a wide scale for many years.
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In France as well there have been objections:
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| See
also.... Greens seek GM crop ban Co-op goes GM-free
The Co-op is banning GM food and ingredients from its shops and farms after a survey of customers. Papers
scent trouble for GM
Several papers believe a study that reported harmful effects from some GM crops are a serious blow to the technology. Head to
head: GM crops debate
BBC News Online speaks to two people on opposing sides of the GM crops debate. GM protesters
'should be convicted'
Four people acquitted of trespass over a protest at a crop trial, should have been convicted, the DPP says. GM test results already in doubt
A key finding of the UK's £6m trials of genetically modified crops will be invalidated when a herbicide is phased out, some researchers say. Fresh call to halt GM crops
Campaigners in Scotland call for a halt to work on GM crops in the light of findings from Britain's biggest trials. All sides claim GM 'victory'
Trials 'back GM-free stance'The mixed results of a £6m study into the environmental impact of biotech crops enable all sides in the GM debate to justify their positions. The Welsh Assembly Government says the results of government trials support its call for a GM-free Wales. Q&A: GM crop trials
The farm-scale evaluations of GM crops in the UK are the largest scientific experiment of their kind anywhere in the world. Monsanto departure pleases greens
Anti-GM campaigners welcome a decision by biotechnology giant Monsanto to close its European seed cereal business in the UK. GM tests show wildlife dangers
Field trials find growing GM rape and beet is more harmful to wildlife than conventional varieties - but GM maize is kinder than normal. GM tests 'provide few answers'
Results of field trials into GM crops are expected to prove inconclusive about their environmental safety. GM activists parade in London
Campaigners against genetically modified food and crops take part in a rally in central London. Action possible over GM errors
A genetically modified crop firm could face legal action after contaminated seeds were planted in Scotland. No prosecution for GM test breach
Campaigners against genetically modified food and crops gear up for a central London rally on Monday. 'Flawed GM tests must start over'
Test results expected to pave the way for GM crop production are invalid, says a former environment minister. GM hybrids seen as 'inevitable'
Farmer's anti-GM protest by tractorSome genetically modified crops are bound to produce large numbers of hybrid plants by breeding with wild relatives, British scientists say. An organic farmer is travelling to London by tractor to highlight the campaign against genetically modified crops. Brazil GM crop plan challenged
Brazil's procurator-general joins environmentalists in challenging a government decision to allow genetically modified crops. GM claims 'are speculative'
The Royal Society says claims that farms-scale GM crop trials in the UK were environmentally damaging are inaccurate. The GM debate: One way forward
The two sides in the debate over genetic modification speak different languages, and only a neutral figure can bring them together. Brazil gives way on GM seed
A provisional decree will allow Brazilian farmers to use genetically-modified seeds for the coming year. GM rice: A growing Philippines debate
A science institute in the Philippines is causing controversy over its research into genetically modified rice. GM? No
thanks, say papers
The outcome of the public consultation on genetically modified crops is a prominent story in Thursday's papers. Most Britons 'oppose GM crops'
A majority of Britons oppose the introduction of genetically modified crops, a nationwide debate shows. GM technology: As risky as life itself
Genetic modification is a neutral technology which cannot be judged in the abstract, scientists say. GM plans attacked after 'leak'
Uganda's push for GMCampaigners attack the government after a newspaper reports it plans to back EU rules allowing commercial growing of GM crops. Uganda's president says he is convinced of the logic for GM food, but can it solve the problems Uganda's farmers face? Bristol goes GM free
The city council votes to become a GM-free zone, a move welcomed by environmental campaigners. 10/09/2003 Public panels concerned by GM
Two "citizen's juries" say the moratorium on the commercial use of genetically modified crops should continue. 08/09/2003 Councils urged to go GM-free
All councils in Wales are urged by an alliance of groups to declare themselves GM crop-fee zones. 26/08/2003 EU 'regrets' US action on GM crops
The ongoing dispute between the European Union and the US over genetically modified food escalates. 08/08/2003 GM turn-off for shoppers
Three-quarters of shoppers in Wales are not happy to buy genetically-modified food and a third want to see it banned. 07/08/2003 Canadian farmers debate GM wheat
Some farming groups are resisting Monsanto's novel wheat because of the damage it may cause to organic production and foreign markets. 31/07/2003 GM warning to trial farmers
Concern that seeds from GM oil seed rape crops stay in the soil longer than previously thought leads to a warning. 25/07/2003 Consumers 'favour GM crops'
Many consumers in NI say they would prefer genetically modified crops to the use of chemical sprays in conventional food production. 24/07/2003 GM crop ban in beauty spot
The Lake District National Park Authority votes to become a GM-free zone. 23/07/2003 GM scientists 'know too little' on wildlife etc.,
etc. Why
has a "debate" on such a widespread issue of public policy
never occurred in the United States? |
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