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."


T. C. Weiskel, "Food, Famine and the Frontier Mentality," (1981).

     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?   What affect has the changing structure of American agriculture had upon land management in agriculture?   Beyond the United States, a number of very important environmental management questions are directly related to the structure of American agriculture. How land is managed (or mis-managed) in the United States affects the agricultural commodities that are produced domestically and therefore structures the demand for these and other commodities on the international markets.  The international demand for commodities in turn sends "signals" both to  international investors and to individual peasant producers in global cash-crop production that has come to characterize the Third World.

     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. 


    Since formal systems of colonialism have collapsed, the logic of agricultural production has come to be dominated by large multinational food and commodity
corporations.  Managers of these firms and their investors -- with the assistance of public policy makers who have adopted their outlook -- have been driving the evolution of the global agricultural system in directions that both agronomists and ecologists warn are increasing unsustainable and vulnerable to perturbation and collapse. 

     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.


Related Bibliography:

Timothy C. Weiskel

 

1997

 The Green Revolution: Toward an Evaluation of Science in Service of Agriculture, Class Bibliography Series, Vol. 1, No. 14. [Last updated: May 11, 1997].

Timothy C. Weiskel

 

2002

"Ethical Principles for Smart Growth: Steps Toward an Ecological Ten Commandments," in Terry S. Szold and Armando Carbonell, Smart Growth: Form and Consequences, (Cambridge, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2002), pp. 180-191.

Howard Kunstler

 

2005

James Howard Kunstler, author of "The Long Emergency,"Oasis Forum - WKNH - GlobalPublicMedia.com, (19 June 2005).


Supplementary Materials
Agriculture in the Age of Cheap Oil

 


Seeds of Trouble - Part 1. BBC Series

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?

Seeds of Trouble - Part 2. BBC Series

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?

In the space of seven years, genetically modified crops have made huge inroads into US agriculture. 80% of soybeans planted have been modified to withstand the herbicide "Round-Up" which is used to control weeds. And one third of the corn crop has now been engineered to resist a major insect pest, the European corn borer.

Supporters of genetical modification say that these seeds are good for the farmer because they reduce labour and increase yields, and good for the environment because they require fewer pesticides and herbicides.

 
H.R.H. Prince Charles - 27 October 2005

 



     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 BBC Reith Lecture Series - 2000 - "Respect for the Earth". The lecture by Vandana Shiva (audio or video and text) and the reflections by Prince Charles (audio and text only) are particularly relevant to the themes discussed in the 29 October lecture.

 


     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.

 


     Most recently, read and consider the views presented in this month's issue of The Atlantic Monthly in the article by Jonathan Rauch:

Jonathan Rauch
  2003 "Will Frankenfood Save the Planet?" The Atlantic Monthly, (October, 2003).

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?

 

     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?

BBC World Service
  1999 "'Superbugs' possible from genetically modified food," BBC World Service, ( January 27, 1999 Published at 19:14 GMT Wednesday).

Or, beyond the "bugs," what about the impact on other crops and the diversity and viability of natural "ancestors" of major cultigens?

Alejandro De Avila Head of Ethno-botanical Gardens explains genetic diversity
  1999 "Maize GM threat," BBC World Service, (13 March, 2002, 19:16 GMT Wednesday).
 

Consider as well the debates in Canada over these issues:

Discussion of GM Crops in Canada and "Golden Rice"
  2001 "Golden Rice: Who wins with genetically modified foods?," CBC News, (9 March 2001).

In Britain, the debate has been protracted and bitter. Moreover it has involved the public on a wide scale for many years.

BBC World Service
  1999 "Special report: Food under the microscope," BBC World Service, (18 May, 1999, 13:16 GMT 14:16 UK Tuesday).
BBC World Service
  2003 "Where supermarkets stand on GM food," BBC News Online, (21 October, 2003, 15:34 GMT 16:34 UK Tuesday).
BBC World Service
  2003 "Most Britons 'oppose GM crops'," BBC News Online, (24 September, 2003, 13:08 GMT 14:08 UK Wednesday).
 

In France as well there have been objections:

  Farming
from All Things Considered, Tuesday, November 30, 1999
Noah speaks with Jose Bove, a French farmer who has been very active in the protests against the World Trade Organization. He was involved yesterday in a protest at a branch of McDonalds in Seattle. (3:00)
....and in New Zealand there is quite a debate:
  Tuesday, 28 October, 2003, 13:57 GMT
NZ split as GM freeze expires
By Kim Griggs
Wellington, New Zealand
     New Zealand's debate over Genetic Modification (GM) has returned to centre stage as a moratorium on releasing GM organisms into the environment expires.
     The New Zealand Government has said the moratorium's ending on Thursday would not mean a rash of GM releases.
Why is the GM issue so controversial in some countries while it is not generally an issue in America?

 

   See also....

Greens seek GM crop ban
The Scottish Executive is urged to stop "sitting on the fence" over GM crops by the Scottish Greens.
 

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'
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.
 
Trials 'back GM-free stance'
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'
Some genetically modified crops are bound to produce large numbers of hybrid plants by breeding with wild relatives, British scientists say.
 
Farmer's anti-GM protest by tractor
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'
Campaigners attack the government after a newspaper reports it plans to back EU rules allowing commercial growing of GM crops.
 
Uganda's push for GM
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
The moratorium on planting GM crops in the UK should remain in place for now, the government's top scientist says.
  21/07/2003

etc., etc.

Why has a "debate" on such a widespread issue of public policy never occurred in the United States?

 

Implications of the "Peak Oil" Phenomena
for modern agriculture and other things....

TV Program from the Netherlands on Oil Peak, the coming energy crisis, and the hydrogen economy, Global Public Media, (July 2004)

The End of the Oil Age, James Kunstler, Open Source, WGBH, 18 October 2005

The End of Suburbia
- video documentary.
Matthew Simmons - Inaugural Talk - "Future of Energy" Series, View: "Is Energy's Future Sustainable?" - Harvard University, 8 February 2006 Matthew Simmons "Twilight in the Desert," Cambridge Forum, WGBH - Forum Network, 12 June 2006.

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