Productivity, Access, and Risk:
the Keys to Biotechnology in Developing
Countries
David Zilberman, University of California
EEP101/econ125
What is biotechnology?
Biotechnology is applying tools of molecular and cell
biology to problems of health, agricultural and industrial
production, and the environment.
It is a derivative of the discovery of the structure of
DNA in 1955 that revolutionized biology.
Techniques of biotechnology include cloning,
genetically modified varieties, genetic screening,
USDA Definition: Agricultural biotechnology is a collection of
scientific techniques, including genetic engineering, that are used
to create, improve, or modify plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Using conventional techniques, such as selective breeding,
scientists have been working to improve plants and animals for
human benefit for hundreds of years. Modern techniques now
enable scientists to move genes (and therefore desirable traits) in
ways they could not before - and with greater ease and precision.
Lessons of medical biotechnology
major applications in terms of drugs, diagnostics, and
production of materials (like insulin).
The industry evolved around the universities. Many major
technologies were developed in universities and transferred
to companies. Examples: Genentech was originated by
scientists in Stanford and UCSF. Amgene by scientists
from UC San Diego, and Chiron by scientists at U.C.
Berkeley.
Process of technology transfer from universities to the
private sector sometimes evolved transfer of technology to a
start-up. The startup either grew to become a major
company or was taken over by Big Pharma.
The Promise of Biotechnology
Combating human diseases
Promoting human health - Researchers are creating ways to boost the
nutritional value of foods using biotechnology.
Combating animal diseases - Biotechnology helped produce a vaccine
that protects animals in the wild against rabies and a vaccine for
"shipping fever" of cattle, the biggest killer of beef cattle in feedlots.
Fighting hunger by resisting plant diseases and increasing crop yields -
Biotechnology can help farmers increase crop yields and feed even
more people. For example, by increasing areas where crops can grow
and fighting crop diseases.
Helping the environment by reducing pesticide use - Biotechnology can
help farmers reduce their reliance on insecticides and herbicides.
Types of Agbiotech
1) pest control biotech, including resistance to pests (bT
corn), and resistance to pesticides (Roundup ready
soybean).
2) Yield-increasing varieties that are not pest-control
related. For example, drought-tolerant varieties.
3) Quality enhancing varieties that include longer shelf
life, better taste
4) Nutritionally-improved food (cholesterol free egg)
5) Fine chemicals and materials (silk, organic plastic,
oils)
The Slow Evolution of Agbiotech
While the first application of medical biotech were in
the 1980s, the commercialization of ag biotech
occurred in the late 1990s. There are several reasons:
 In ag biotech, one deals with many species, in medical biotech,
with one species.
 There is a much larger willingness to pay for drugs than for food.
 There is more tolerance for risk when it come to production of
medical than food. Furthermore, ag biotech is produced in the field,
and requires extra care.
• Much more research money has been allocated to medicine than
crops
Early Application of Agbiotech
Early application of agbiotech includes Bt
and Roundup ready inserted varieties in
major field crops (corn, soybeans, tobacco)
Virus resistant papaya, and FlavorSaver
Tomatoes.
The Bt varieties mostly reduce pesticide use
in the U.S., but don’t affect yield.
There have been some drift of genetic
material towards wild corn.
There are some indicators of resistance-
buildup.
The Case for Agbiotech
Agbiotech presents opportunities for
environmental quality improvement
and is a source of risk.
With good management, it has an
important role in the future of
agriculture.
Much of the value of agbiotech is in
the developing world. There is a big
debate whether it is appropriate
there. It will be addressed below.
Attitudes toward Agbiotech
There has been significant resistance for the
introduction of agbiotech, especially in
Europe.
Agbiotech entails perceived risks, but
benefit to consumers of the early
applications are non-apparent.
There is lack of confidence in government
assurance, and in technology in Europe,
especially after mad cow disease.
Agbiotechnology may be opposed indirectly
by individuals that benefit from substitute
products. E.g. pesticide manufacturers.
Presumed Points of Failure
1. Productivity: Biotechnology aims to solve problems
of the North; will not make a difference in the
South.
2. Access: Biotechnology is controlled by corporations;
will not be accessible on feasible terms to poor
peasants.
3. Risks: Damage to environment and human health,
contamination of native genetic materials, and loss
of crop biodiversity
Productivity: Yield-Increasing Potential
Yield = potential output x (1 - damage)
damage = f (pest, pest control)
Combination of high pest pressure and
minimal existing use of pest control 
potential for yield-increasing effect
Attractive features of pest-control agricultural
biotechnologies
Simplicity of use
Reduction in use of chemicals or labor
Productivity: Evidence for Bt Cotton Gains
Bt cotton in:
United States: yield effect 0 – 15%
China: yield effect 10%
South Africa: yield effect 20%-40%
India: yield effect 60 – 80 %
In every country have reduction in chemical
usage
The Impact of Bt Cotton in India
Bt cotton is used to provide resistance to the
American bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera).
The technology was developed by Monsanto
and was introduced in collaboration with the
Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company (Mahyco).
Field trials with these Bt hybrids have been
carried out since 1997 and, for the 2002/03
growing season, the technology was
commercially approved by the Indian
authorities.
Our study
For our analysis, we use data from
on-farm field trials that were carried
out during the 2001/02 growing
season as part of the regulatory
procedure.
In 2001, field trials were carried out
on 395 farms in seven states of India.
These trials were initiated by Mahyco
and supervised by the regulatory
authorities.
Experimental design
Three adjacent 646 m2
plots were planted: the
first with a Bt cotton hybrid, the second with the
same hybrid but without the Bt gene (non-Bt
counterpart), and the third with a different hybrid
commonly used in the particular location (popular
check).
All three plots were managed by the farmers
themselves, following customary practices.
This setup allows reducing the effects of
differences in agroecological conditions and
managerial abilities when making technological
comparisons.
The actual data source
In addition to the regular trial records, more
comprehensive information was collected for
157 farms on agronomic aspects and farm and
household characteristics.
Observations from these 157 farms constitute
the data basis for this analysis.
They cover 25 districts in three major cotton-
producing states—Maharashtra and Madhya
Pradesh in Central India and Tamil Nadu in the
South. Plot-level input and output data were
extrapolated to 1 hectare to facilitate
comparisons.
Results
Bt hybrids were sprayed three times less often
against bollworms than the conventional hybrids.
On average, insecticide amounts on Bt cotton
plots were reduced by almost 70%, which is
consistent with studies from other countries.
At average pesticide amounts of 1.6 kg/ha (active
ingredients) on the conventional trial plots, crop
damage in 2001/02 was about 60%. Bt does not
completely eliminate pest-related yield losses.
Results II
Average yields of Bt hybrids exceeded
those of non-Bt counterparts and local
checks by 80% and 87%, respectively.
2001/02 was a season with high bollworm
pressure in India, so that average yield
effects will be somewhat lower in years
with less pest problems.
Insecticide Use and Crop Losses with and without Bt
Technology
Bt
Non-Bt
counterpart
Popular
check
Sprays against bollworm 0.62* (1.28) 3.68 (1.98) 3.63(1.98)
Sprays against sucking pests 3.57 (1.70) 3.51(1.66) 3.45(1.62)
Amount of insecticide (kg/ha) 1.74* (1.86) 5.56 (3.15) 5.43(3.07)
Toxicity class I 0.64*(1.10) 1.98 (1.78) 1.94(1.78)
Toxicity class II 1.07*(1.27) 3.55 (2.66) 3.46(2.60)
Toxicity class III 0.03 (0.08) 0.03 (0.08) 0.03(0.08)
Active ingredient (kg/ha) 0.48*(0.55) 1.55 (0.96) 1.52(0.95)
Yield (kg/ha) † 1,501*(857) 833(572) 802(571)
* Me an values are different from those of non-Bt counterparts and popular checks at a 5% significance
level.
† Yield levels refer to the amount of seed cotton before ginning.
Yield and pesticides use comparisons
Region Pest
pressure
Availability
of chemical
alternatives
Adoption of
chemicals
Yield
effect of
GM crops
Developed countries Low-med high high low
L.Am (commercial) medium medium high low -med
China medium medium high low- med
L.Am(non-commercial) medium low -med low med -high
South & So. east Asia high low -med low -med high
Africa high low low high
Predicted yield effects of pest controlling Biotech
Access
•Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
•Registrations
Access: Biotechnologies in the South
Most IP is generated by research in
the North
Transfer of public sector’s rights to the
private sector provides incentives for
development and commercialization
Companies have little incentive to
invest in applications specific to the
South
Access: Biotechnologies in the South
Companies are willing to give technologies for use
in South; good PR
Companies worry about liability, transaction costs
Universities with rights to technology will also be
open to transferring to South applications
Needed institutional mediation: IP clearinghouse
Access: Objectives of clearinghouse for IPR
Reduce search costs to identifying set of
technologies accessible
Reduce transaction cost for the
commercialization of innovations
Increase transparency about ownership of IPR
Provide mechanisms to manage negotiation of
access to IPR
Improve technology transfer mechanisms and
practices (mostly in public sector institution)
Non-member
organizations
Member organizations
Non-member IP users
Pooled sub-licensing
Assignment, license, or option for full or limited fields of use
Single patent sub-licensing
“Re-packaging”
IP providers:
IP users:
Member organization IP
users
Non-member IP users
Direct licensing
transactions
Access: Model of a clearinghouse for IPR
Access: Reducing Regulatory Constraints
Registration should be efficient. Excessive requirements
may be used as a source of political economic rent
seeking.
Borders are arbitrary. Countries can take advantage of
regulatory clearances granted elsewhere and
concentrate on addressing unique local problems and
risks.
Countries should develop regional alliances for
regulation and establish mechanisms for easy transfer
of regulatory information.
Environment
•Risks
•Agricultural biodiversity
Environment: Sound Basis for Risk Analysis
Is the Precautionary Principle a sound basis for risk
analysis?
There are always trade-offs between risks and benefits,
and between risks and risks.
In Africa, does risk of “genetic contamination” exceed risk of
starvation?
Agricultural biotechnology should be evaluated in
comparison to pesticides and other real alternatives.
In tropics, increased productivity would reduce pressure for
deforestation.
Gmo’s are not perfect-
Gmo’s have problems-resistance buildup,
damage to secondary pests, genetic
contamination.
Refugia, monitoring of impacts, restriction of
use in some locations can address these
problems partially-but alternatives have
problems and risks that have to be considered.
Agricultural biotech is in its infancy- built up of
human capital and accumulation of -will lead
to eliminations of many bug and lead to better
technologies
Environment: Sound Basis for Risk Analysis
Risks and benefits should be quantified.
Sound reliability factors—i.e. confidence
intervals—should be used to standardize risk
estimates.
Environment: Relative to Modern Breeding
Biotech Can Enhance Crop Biodiversity
Main premise: Agbiotech allows minor
modification of existing varieties and under
appropriate institutional setup can be
adopted while preserving crop biodiversity
Conventional breeding involves often massive
genetic changes, and adjustments to
accommodate biodiversity are costly and
Well functioning IPR system can lead to crop
biodiversity preservation
Field data support this claim
Table 1. Number of available varieties for different GM
technologies in selected countries (2001/2002)
Country Technology
Area under
technology (ha)
Number of
local
varieties/hybrids a
Number of
imported
varieties/hybrids
USA RR soybean 22 million >1,100 0
Bt corn 7 million >700 0
Bt cotton 2 million 19 0
Argentina RR soybean 10 million 45 11
Bt corn 0.7 million 15 6
Bt cotton 22,000 0 2
China Bt cotton 1.5 million 22 5
India Bt cotton 40,000 3 0
Mexico Bt cotton 28,000 0 2
South Africa Bt cotton 20,000 1 2
Environment: Biodiversity scenarios in the field
Strong IPRs, strong breeding sector, and low
transaction costs. (US) Private technology
owner will license the innovation to different
seed companies, who incorporate it into many
or all crop varieties, so that crop biodiversity is
preserved.
Strong IPRs, strong breeding sector, but high
transaction costs. (CGIAR) If an agreement
cannot be reached, companies will bypass
breeding sector, directly introduce GM crop
varieties that are not locally adapted.
Environment: Biodiversity scenarios in the field
Weak IPRs and a strong breeding sector. (China)
Many different GM varieties are available
Farmers and consumers are beneficiaries. SR
social optimum.
Weak IPRs and a weak breeding sector. (Africa) If
foreign GM crop varieties are even introduced,
are done directly without adaptation. A loss of
local crop biodiversity.
Biotech Could Enhance Crop Biodiversity
Conventional breeding led to wholesale
replacement of land races with elite line
monocultures
Biotechnology could provide precise
improvements to traditional land races
Could lead to reintroduction of new
“technologically competitive” land races -
”Jurasic garden”
Conclusions
Agbiotechnology has significant potential for
developing countries; the challenge is to realize
that potential:
Productivity: yield effect of biotechnology tends to be
larger in developing countries
Access: institutions can reduce IP and regulatory
costs for developing countries
Risks: crop biodiversity can be preserved and could
even be restored with biotechnology
Ag bio tech is only part of the
solution
Ag biotech is more than Gmo’s.
It will evolve- alternative molecular
approaches will be developed-but
knowledge will not be accumulated without
experience
Development may be dependent on public and
private sector funding
Ag biotech must be pursued as part of a
portfolio of technology and knowledge tools
aiming to enhance productivity and
environmental sustainability of agriculture.
Consider
250 million Americans are the “guinea pigs” for
agricultural biotechnology. Northern countries
also took the risk with cars and with modern
chemicals.
Africa missed the Green Revolution; will it also
miss the Gene Revolution?

lectummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmre19.ppt

  • 1.
    Productivity, Access, andRisk: the Keys to Biotechnology in Developing Countries David Zilberman, University of California EEP101/econ125
  • 2.
    What is biotechnology? Biotechnologyis applying tools of molecular and cell biology to problems of health, agricultural and industrial production, and the environment. It is a derivative of the discovery of the structure of DNA in 1955 that revolutionized biology. Techniques of biotechnology include cloning, genetically modified varieties, genetic screening, USDA Definition: Agricultural biotechnology is a collection of scientific techniques, including genetic engineering, that are used to create, improve, or modify plants, animals, and microorganisms. Using conventional techniques, such as selective breeding, scientists have been working to improve plants and animals for human benefit for hundreds of years. Modern techniques now enable scientists to move genes (and therefore desirable traits) in ways they could not before - and with greater ease and precision.
  • 3.
    Lessons of medicalbiotechnology major applications in terms of drugs, diagnostics, and production of materials (like insulin). The industry evolved around the universities. Many major technologies were developed in universities and transferred to companies. Examples: Genentech was originated by scientists in Stanford and UCSF. Amgene by scientists from UC San Diego, and Chiron by scientists at U.C. Berkeley. Process of technology transfer from universities to the private sector sometimes evolved transfer of technology to a start-up. The startup either grew to become a major company or was taken over by Big Pharma.
  • 4.
    The Promise ofBiotechnology Combating human diseases Promoting human health - Researchers are creating ways to boost the nutritional value of foods using biotechnology. Combating animal diseases - Biotechnology helped produce a vaccine that protects animals in the wild against rabies and a vaccine for "shipping fever" of cattle, the biggest killer of beef cattle in feedlots. Fighting hunger by resisting plant diseases and increasing crop yields - Biotechnology can help farmers increase crop yields and feed even more people. For example, by increasing areas where crops can grow and fighting crop diseases. Helping the environment by reducing pesticide use - Biotechnology can help farmers reduce their reliance on insecticides and herbicides.
  • 5.
    Types of Agbiotech 1)pest control biotech, including resistance to pests (bT corn), and resistance to pesticides (Roundup ready soybean). 2) Yield-increasing varieties that are not pest-control related. For example, drought-tolerant varieties. 3) Quality enhancing varieties that include longer shelf life, better taste 4) Nutritionally-improved food (cholesterol free egg) 5) Fine chemicals and materials (silk, organic plastic, oils)
  • 6.
    The Slow Evolutionof Agbiotech While the first application of medical biotech were in the 1980s, the commercialization of ag biotech occurred in the late 1990s. There are several reasons:  In ag biotech, one deals with many species, in medical biotech, with one species.  There is a much larger willingness to pay for drugs than for food.  There is more tolerance for risk when it come to production of medical than food. Furthermore, ag biotech is produced in the field, and requires extra care. • Much more research money has been allocated to medicine than crops
  • 8.
    Early Application ofAgbiotech Early application of agbiotech includes Bt and Roundup ready inserted varieties in major field crops (corn, soybeans, tobacco) Virus resistant papaya, and FlavorSaver Tomatoes. The Bt varieties mostly reduce pesticide use in the U.S., but don’t affect yield. There have been some drift of genetic material towards wild corn. There are some indicators of resistance- buildup.
  • 9.
    The Case forAgbiotech Agbiotech presents opportunities for environmental quality improvement and is a source of risk. With good management, it has an important role in the future of agriculture. Much of the value of agbiotech is in the developing world. There is a big debate whether it is appropriate there. It will be addressed below.
  • 10.
    Attitudes toward Agbiotech Therehas been significant resistance for the introduction of agbiotech, especially in Europe. Agbiotech entails perceived risks, but benefit to consumers of the early applications are non-apparent. There is lack of confidence in government assurance, and in technology in Europe, especially after mad cow disease. Agbiotechnology may be opposed indirectly by individuals that benefit from substitute products. E.g. pesticide manufacturers.
  • 11.
    Presumed Points ofFailure 1. Productivity: Biotechnology aims to solve problems of the North; will not make a difference in the South. 2. Access: Biotechnology is controlled by corporations; will not be accessible on feasible terms to poor peasants. 3. Risks: Damage to environment and human health, contamination of native genetic materials, and loss of crop biodiversity
  • 12.
    Productivity: Yield-Increasing Potential Yield= potential output x (1 - damage) damage = f (pest, pest control) Combination of high pest pressure and minimal existing use of pest control  potential for yield-increasing effect Attractive features of pest-control agricultural biotechnologies Simplicity of use Reduction in use of chemicals or labor
  • 13.
    Productivity: Evidence forBt Cotton Gains Bt cotton in: United States: yield effect 0 – 15% China: yield effect 10% South Africa: yield effect 20%-40% India: yield effect 60 – 80 % In every country have reduction in chemical usage
  • 14.
    The Impact ofBt Cotton in India Bt cotton is used to provide resistance to the American bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera). The technology was developed by Monsanto and was introduced in collaboration with the Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company (Mahyco). Field trials with these Bt hybrids have been carried out since 1997 and, for the 2002/03 growing season, the technology was commercially approved by the Indian authorities.
  • 15.
    Our study For ouranalysis, we use data from on-farm field trials that were carried out during the 2001/02 growing season as part of the regulatory procedure. In 2001, field trials were carried out on 395 farms in seven states of India. These trials were initiated by Mahyco and supervised by the regulatory authorities.
  • 16.
    Experimental design Three adjacent646 m2 plots were planted: the first with a Bt cotton hybrid, the second with the same hybrid but without the Bt gene (non-Bt counterpart), and the third with a different hybrid commonly used in the particular location (popular check). All three plots were managed by the farmers themselves, following customary practices. This setup allows reducing the effects of differences in agroecological conditions and managerial abilities when making technological comparisons.
  • 17.
    The actual datasource In addition to the regular trial records, more comprehensive information was collected for 157 farms on agronomic aspects and farm and household characteristics. Observations from these 157 farms constitute the data basis for this analysis. They cover 25 districts in three major cotton- producing states—Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh in Central India and Tamil Nadu in the South. Plot-level input and output data were extrapolated to 1 hectare to facilitate comparisons.
  • 18.
    Results Bt hybrids weresprayed three times less often against bollworms than the conventional hybrids. On average, insecticide amounts on Bt cotton plots were reduced by almost 70%, which is consistent with studies from other countries. At average pesticide amounts of 1.6 kg/ha (active ingredients) on the conventional trial plots, crop damage in 2001/02 was about 60%. Bt does not completely eliminate pest-related yield losses.
  • 19.
    Results II Average yieldsof Bt hybrids exceeded those of non-Bt counterparts and local checks by 80% and 87%, respectively. 2001/02 was a season with high bollworm pressure in India, so that average yield effects will be somewhat lower in years with less pest problems.
  • 20.
    Insecticide Use andCrop Losses with and without Bt Technology
  • 21.
    Bt Non-Bt counterpart Popular check Sprays against bollworm0.62* (1.28) 3.68 (1.98) 3.63(1.98) Sprays against sucking pests 3.57 (1.70) 3.51(1.66) 3.45(1.62) Amount of insecticide (kg/ha) 1.74* (1.86) 5.56 (3.15) 5.43(3.07) Toxicity class I 0.64*(1.10) 1.98 (1.78) 1.94(1.78) Toxicity class II 1.07*(1.27) 3.55 (2.66) 3.46(2.60) Toxicity class III 0.03 (0.08) 0.03 (0.08) 0.03(0.08) Active ingredient (kg/ha) 0.48*(0.55) 1.55 (0.96) 1.52(0.95) Yield (kg/ha) † 1,501*(857) 833(572) 802(571) * Me an values are different from those of non-Bt counterparts and popular checks at a 5% significance level. † Yield levels refer to the amount of seed cotton before ginning. Yield and pesticides use comparisons
  • 22.
    Region Pest pressure Availability of chemical alternatives Adoptionof chemicals Yield effect of GM crops Developed countries Low-med high high low L.Am (commercial) medium medium high low -med China medium medium high low- med L.Am(non-commercial) medium low -med low med -high South & So. east Asia high low -med low -med high Africa high low low high Predicted yield effects of pest controlling Biotech
  • 23.
  • 24.
    Access: Biotechnologies inthe South Most IP is generated by research in the North Transfer of public sector’s rights to the private sector provides incentives for development and commercialization Companies have little incentive to invest in applications specific to the South
  • 25.
    Access: Biotechnologies inthe South Companies are willing to give technologies for use in South; good PR Companies worry about liability, transaction costs Universities with rights to technology will also be open to transferring to South applications Needed institutional mediation: IP clearinghouse
  • 26.
    Access: Objectives ofclearinghouse for IPR Reduce search costs to identifying set of technologies accessible Reduce transaction cost for the commercialization of innovations Increase transparency about ownership of IPR Provide mechanisms to manage negotiation of access to IPR Improve technology transfer mechanisms and practices (mostly in public sector institution)
  • 27.
    Non-member organizations Member organizations Non-member IPusers Pooled sub-licensing Assignment, license, or option for full or limited fields of use Single patent sub-licensing “Re-packaging” IP providers: IP users: Member organization IP users Non-member IP users Direct licensing transactions Access: Model of a clearinghouse for IPR
  • 28.
    Access: Reducing RegulatoryConstraints Registration should be efficient. Excessive requirements may be used as a source of political economic rent seeking. Borders are arbitrary. Countries can take advantage of regulatory clearances granted elsewhere and concentrate on addressing unique local problems and risks. Countries should develop regional alliances for regulation and establish mechanisms for easy transfer of regulatory information.
  • 29.
  • 30.
    Environment: Sound Basisfor Risk Analysis Is the Precautionary Principle a sound basis for risk analysis? There are always trade-offs between risks and benefits, and between risks and risks. In Africa, does risk of “genetic contamination” exceed risk of starvation? Agricultural biotechnology should be evaluated in comparison to pesticides and other real alternatives. In tropics, increased productivity would reduce pressure for deforestation.
  • 31.
    Gmo’s are notperfect- Gmo’s have problems-resistance buildup, damage to secondary pests, genetic contamination. Refugia, monitoring of impacts, restriction of use in some locations can address these problems partially-but alternatives have problems and risks that have to be considered. Agricultural biotech is in its infancy- built up of human capital and accumulation of -will lead to eliminations of many bug and lead to better technologies
  • 32.
    Environment: Sound Basisfor Risk Analysis Risks and benefits should be quantified. Sound reliability factors—i.e. confidence intervals—should be used to standardize risk estimates.
  • 33.
    Environment: Relative toModern Breeding Biotech Can Enhance Crop Biodiversity Main premise: Agbiotech allows minor modification of existing varieties and under appropriate institutional setup can be adopted while preserving crop biodiversity Conventional breeding involves often massive genetic changes, and adjustments to accommodate biodiversity are costly and Well functioning IPR system can lead to crop biodiversity preservation Field data support this claim
  • 34.
    Table 1. Numberof available varieties for different GM technologies in selected countries (2001/2002) Country Technology Area under technology (ha) Number of local varieties/hybrids a Number of imported varieties/hybrids USA RR soybean 22 million >1,100 0 Bt corn 7 million >700 0 Bt cotton 2 million 19 0 Argentina RR soybean 10 million 45 11 Bt corn 0.7 million 15 6 Bt cotton 22,000 0 2 China Bt cotton 1.5 million 22 5 India Bt cotton 40,000 3 0 Mexico Bt cotton 28,000 0 2 South Africa Bt cotton 20,000 1 2
  • 35.
    Environment: Biodiversity scenariosin the field Strong IPRs, strong breeding sector, and low transaction costs. (US) Private technology owner will license the innovation to different seed companies, who incorporate it into many or all crop varieties, so that crop biodiversity is preserved. Strong IPRs, strong breeding sector, but high transaction costs. (CGIAR) If an agreement cannot be reached, companies will bypass breeding sector, directly introduce GM crop varieties that are not locally adapted.
  • 36.
    Environment: Biodiversity scenariosin the field Weak IPRs and a strong breeding sector. (China) Many different GM varieties are available Farmers and consumers are beneficiaries. SR social optimum. Weak IPRs and a weak breeding sector. (Africa) If foreign GM crop varieties are even introduced, are done directly without adaptation. A loss of local crop biodiversity.
  • 37.
    Biotech Could EnhanceCrop Biodiversity Conventional breeding led to wholesale replacement of land races with elite line monocultures Biotechnology could provide precise improvements to traditional land races Could lead to reintroduction of new “technologically competitive” land races - ”Jurasic garden”
  • 38.
    Conclusions Agbiotechnology has significantpotential for developing countries; the challenge is to realize that potential: Productivity: yield effect of biotechnology tends to be larger in developing countries Access: institutions can reduce IP and regulatory costs for developing countries Risks: crop biodiversity can be preserved and could even be restored with biotechnology
  • 39.
    Ag bio techis only part of the solution Ag biotech is more than Gmo’s. It will evolve- alternative molecular approaches will be developed-but knowledge will not be accumulated without experience Development may be dependent on public and private sector funding Ag biotech must be pursued as part of a portfolio of technology and knowledge tools aiming to enhance productivity and environmental sustainability of agriculture.
  • 40.
    Consider 250 million Americansare the “guinea pigs” for agricultural biotechnology. Northern countries also took the risk with cars and with modern chemicals. Africa missed the Green Revolution; will it also miss the Gene Revolution?