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October 2003 ( 2.1 MB)
Tipo: Whole issue
Fecha: octubre 2003

When elephants fight over GMOs
Tipo: Article
Autor: Tewolde Egziabher Fecha: octubre 2003

As the world’s attention was focusing firmly on the Cancun World Trade Organisation summit in September, an important international agreement quietly made its entry on the world stage, one which holds immense implications for developing countries. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety1, which aims to regulate trade in genetically modified organisms (GMOs), came into force on 11 September. The Protocol arrived after five long years of negotiations over intractable North-South issues that are set to continue to bedevil implementation. The tension around trade issues is highlighted most forcefully by the US’ move to take the European Union to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism over the EU’s insistence that US exporters clearly label all GM food sold to Europe. One of the US’ main complaints is that Europe’s stance forces Africa to reject GM foods and crops.

The next trade war? GM products, the Cartagena Protocol and the WTO
Tipo: Article
Autor: Duncan Brack, Robert Falkner and Judith Goll Fecha: octubre 2003

The US-EU dispute over the EU’s de facto moratorium on GM crops and products has generated much heat on both sides of the Atlantic. The verdict of the WTO’s dispute panel will have significant implications for other countries thinking about rejecting GM crops. It may also be an important case to test the political muscle of the newly adopted Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which the EU may use in its defence.

Global patents for world domination?
Tipo: Article
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: octubre 2003

For three years, a new international patent treaty has been under negotiation at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva. This treaty would pave the way for a future world patent granted directly by WIPO. This is bad news for developing countries and their citizens, who would lose even the limited freedom they have left to adjust patent systems to national development goals. However, it is not too late for the developing world to say ‘no thanks’ and stop the negotiating process.

Traduciones: français   Español

Conservation International: privatizing nature, plundering biodiversity
Tipo: Article
Autor: Aziz Choudry Fecha: octubre 2003

Conservation International’s corporate sponsor list reads like a list of the US’ top fifty transnational corporations. Biodiversity conservation is at the top of CI’s list of goals. But as the list of CI’s dubious ventures and questionable partners around the world grows, Aziz Choudry is starting to wonder if it is time to ‘out’ this ‘multinational conservation corporation’ and show its true colours.

Traduciones: Español

Izwi neTarisiro – Zimbabwe’s Citizens Jury
Tipo: Article
Autor: Elijah Rusike Fecha: octubre 2003

As Zimbabwe struggles with economic hard times and land reform problems, its farming sector is in disarray. A citizen’s jury was held in a bid to improve the quality and relevance of policies that affect smallholder farmers. At a time when GM crops are being billed as the road to food security for Africa, Zimbabwe’s citizen’s jury showed that for many farmers, seed of any kind is only one of a large number of factors that affect their ability to feed their families.

Traduciones: français  

Interview with Francisca Rodriguez - Via Campesina's seed campaign
Tipo: Interviews
Fecha: octubre 2003

Francisca Rodriguez is part of the international coordination commission of Via Campesina, an international movement which coordinates peasant organisations of small and middle-scale producers, agricultural workers, rural women, and indigenous communities from Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.

Seed security for Africa’s farmers
Tipo: Article
Autor: Fulvio Grandin Fecha: octubre 2003

The World Food Summit of June 2002 was a catalytic event the Africa Biodiversity Network (ABN). Our frustrations with government and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s support for the genetic manipulation of agriculture inspired the ABN to get organised to represent and support sustainable practices for food security. ABN’s position was clear: seed and food security are inseparable for small-scale farmers throughout Africa, as the informal agricultural sector is largely dependant on an informal seed sector for its genetic resources.

Seeds of a new misery
Tipo: Article
Autor: Roger Gbegnonvi Fecha: octubre 2003

As soon as he was out of prison for his ‘crimes’ of uprooting GM crops, the Frenchman José Bové went to Larzac. There he advocated civil disobedience to French farmers, in the face of continuing imposition of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the fields of agricultural globalisation. For José Bové and friends to sound the alarm in this way throughout the world, it means that the situation is serious. Do Africans who have been promised happiness – at last – through the use of GMOs know their fate?

Traduciones: français  

Izwi neTarisiro - Le jury des citoyens du Zimbabwe
Tipo: Article
Autor: Elijah Rusike Fecha: octubre 2003

Le Zimbabwe affrontant une situation économique difficile et des problèmes de réforme foncière, son secteur agricole est en plein désarroi. Un jury de citoyens s'est tenu pour tenter d'améliorer la qualité et la pertinence des politiques affectant les petits agriculteurs. A un moment où les cultures génétiquement modifiées sont présentées comme la solution pour la sécurité alimentaire de l'Afrique, le jury de citoyens du Zimbabwe a montré que pour beaucoup d'agriculteurs, la question des semences quelles qu'elles soient, représente seulement une partie de l'ensemble des nombreux facteurs affectant leur capacité à nourrir leurs familles.

Traduciones: English  

Quand les éléphants se battent sur les OGM
Tipo: Editorial
Autor: Tewolde Egziabher Fecha: octubre 2003

Traduciones: English  

July 2003 ( 1.9 MB)
Tipo: Whole issue
Fecha: julio 2003

Blinded by the gene
Tipo: Editorial
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: julio 2003

Earlier this year, the scientific community celebrated the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the structure and function of DNA by Watson and Crick. There was a host of parties, conferences and special issues. Fifty years ago when the ‘secret of life’ was unveiled, expectations were high that this milestone discovery had given us the key to understanding the laws of heredity …. and the power to change them. Fifty years later, many believe we have now reached that point. Scientists are now able to move genes – and the inherited traits they code for – with apparent ease between species, families and kingdoms.

Traduciones: français   Español

Unravelling the DNA myth
Tipo: Article
Autor: Barry Commoner Fecha: julio 2003

There is a crucial problem in molecular genetics and in its applications to agriculture, medicine and the production of pharmaceutical drugs. This science is based on a 50-year old theory that says DNA alone governs inheritance. Molecular genetics is now confronted with a growing disjunction between this widely accepted premise and an array of discordant experimental results that contradict it. But this disparity remains largely unacknowledged and experiments with transgenic plants and animals (many of which are not even recognised to be experiments) continue on a massive scale.

The Bt gene fails in India
Tipo: Article
Autor: Abdul Qayam and Kiran Sakkhari Fecha: julio 2003

Farmers in Warangal district in Andhra Pradesh were excited about planting Bt cotton, which they saw as a way out of the trap of pests, pesticides and debt they were stuck in. At the start of the season in 2002, many were optimistic and hopeful about the new crop, but as the season progressed their enthusiasm was transformed into disappointment and, for some, despair. Meanwhile, many women already disillusioned with Green Revolution agriculture, are rediscovering the virtues of biodiverse cropping systems and sharing their results with their neighbours.

Public research: which public is that?
Tipo: Article
Autor: Aaron deGrassi and Peter Rosset Fecha: julio 2003

Public research theoretically offers considerably more potential than the corporate, gene-focused approach to generate crops that meet the needs of farmers. But in practice, much public research, especially that undertaken by the world’s international research centres, has also been blinded by the gene. Aaron deGrassi and Peter Rosset assert that farmers need to be returned to centre-stage to re-assume their central role as custodians of the world’s agricultural resources and the directors of research and innovation

The promise of participation: democratising the management of biodiversity
Tipo: Article
Autor: Michel Pimbert Fecha: julio 2003

Technical advances in breeding – however impressive – are meaningless without farmers. The corporate research model seeks to turn farmers into serfs in a feudal agricultural system, a move which will be devastating to our future food supply. Michel Pimbert identifies some of the reforms needed to encourage democratic participation and more genuine local control in the management of agricultural biodiversity. Emphasis is placed on strengthening diversity, decentralisation and democracy through the regeneration of more localised food systems and economies.

with Johnson Ekpere - Agricultural Research in Africa
Tipo: Interviews
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: julio 2003

Trained as an agronomist in the US, for many years Johnson Ekpere was Professor of Agriculture at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Now retired, he continues to act as a consultant on agricultural and rights-related issues in Africa.

Traduciones: français  

Farmer’s privilege under attack
Tipo: Sprouting up
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: julio 2003

Intellectual property rights (IPR) applied to seeds give breeders, or whoever claims to have discovered or developed a new plant variety, an exclusive monopoly right in relation to the seed. Under patent law, that monopoly right is very strong. It will generally prevent anyone from using, selling or producing the seed without the patent holder’s permission.

Traduciones: français  

the GRAIN Home Page is dedicated to struggle against GM crops in Asia.
Tipo: Homepage
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: julio 2003

Aveuglés par le gène
Tipo: Editorial
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: julio 2003

Traduciones: English   Español

Entretien avec le professeur Johnson Ekpere
Tipo: Interviews
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: julio 2003

Johnson Ekpere est l'ancien secrétaire général de la Commission de Recherche, scientifique et technique de l'Organisation de l'Unité Africaine (OUA/ CRST). A ce poste de responsabilité, il a piloté le développement de deux Lois modèles africaines sur les droits des communautés et la biotechnologie, qui ont fait prendre conscience à un certain nombre de pays africains de l'impact que certains accords internationaux pourraient avoir sur les communautés et les pays africains. Agronome formé aux Etats-Unis, il a été pendant plusieurs années professeur d'Agriculture à l'Université de Ibadan au Nigéria. Aujourd'hui à la retraite, il continue d'agir en tant que consultant sur les questions agricoles et de droits touchant l'Afrique.

Traduciones: English  

Attaque contre le privilège des agriculteurs
Tipo: Sprouting up
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: julio 2003

Traduciones: English  

Living with the Fluid Genome
Tipo: Resources
Autor: Mae-Wan Ho Fecha: julio 2003

DNA: The Secret of Life by James D Watson, with Andrew Berry (New York: Knopf, 2003)
Tipo: Resources
Autor: M Susan Lindee Fecha: julio 2003

April 2003 ( 3.9 MB)
Tipo: Whole issue
Fecha: abril 2003

No free Trade At All
Tipo: Article
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: abril 2003

The Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) is a free trade agreement being negotiated by all the governments of the American hemisphere except Cuba. Its objective is to impose common rules for the entire continent to open up national activities to the free flow of global capital. This agreement will be even more wide-reaching than the World Trade Organisation. The FTAA will result in many restrictions on the rights of all citizens, but especially wage earners, small farmers and indigenous peoples. In contrast, transnational investors will receive a level of protection never before experienced.

Traduciones: français  

Non à la Zone de libre échange des Amériques et à tout libre échange
Tipo: Article
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: abril 2003

Traduciones: English  

Contaminating Canada's seed supply
Tipo: Article
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: abril 2003

In Canada, the privatisation of farmer’s seeds continues to advance at a breathtaking pace. Canadian farmers have fewer and fewer varieties of seed to choose from, fewer places to buy it from and fewer rights to produce their own seed. Now they face another threat: the contamination of the entire seed supply with genetically modified seed.

Traduciones: Español

Food Aid: Who is getting fed
Tipo: Article
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: abril 2003

In the last year, the UN’s World Food Programme has twice launched what it has described as the “largest humanitarian operation in history” – first in Southern Africa, and in recent weeks in Iraq. But how helpful have these interventions been and are they really reaching the people who need them? More than ever, the food aid agenda is being driven by the interests of donors rather than recipients. The issue of genetically modified food aid is now also being used by the US, the world’s largest food aid donor, to manipulate the agenda.

Traduciones: français   Español

A qui profite l'aide alimentaire ?
Tipo: Article
Autor: Matt Mellen Fecha: abril 2003

 L'année dernière, le Programme alimentaire mondial des Nations Unies a lancé à deux reprises ce qui a été présenté comme "la plus vaste opération humanitaire de l'histoire" – d'abord en Afrique Australe et ces dernières semaines en Iraq. Mais jusqu'à quel point ces opérations ont-elles apporté de l'aide et atteignent-elles réellement les personnes qui en ont besoin? Plus que jamais, le programme d'aide alimentaire est mené dans l'intérêt des fournisseurs plutôt que dans celui des bénéficiaires. La question de l'aide alimentaire génétiquement modifiée est désormais utilisée par les Etats-Unis, le plus grand pourvoyeur d'aide alimentaire dans le monde, pour manipuler le programme.

Traduciones: English   Español

with David Quist - The Mexican Maize scandal
Tipo: Interviews
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: abril 2003

David Quist was one of the authors of the first study to report the contamination of one of the centres of genetic diversity with genetically modified (GM) crops. The paper erupted into what has become known as the ‘Mexican maize scandal’. Here GRAIN talks to Quist about the aftermath of the volcano and the implications for farmers, scientists and consumers.

French Farmers organise around seeds
Tipo: Sprouting up
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: abril 2003

Cupuaçu - a case of amazonian self-assertion
Tipo: Sprouting up
Autor: Michael Schmidlehner Fecha: abril 2003

Trouble in the rice bowl
Tipo: Sprouting up
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: abril 2003

Knocking on the EU’s door
Tipo: Homepage
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: abril 2003

January 2003 ( 2.0 MB)
Tipo: Whole issue
Fecha: enero 2003

Finally I have seen Bt Cotton
Tipo: Editorial
Autor: P V Satheesh Fecha: enero 2003

Traduciones: français  

Poisoning the well: the genetic pollution of maize
Tipo: Article
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: enero 2003

The worst-case scenario envisioned, bythe introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops, has now taken place. GM maize has been planted in Mexico, the crop’s centre of origin and diversity, and it has been contaminating this priceless gene pool. Although many in the official circles are still in denial, GRAIN asks what must be done to clean up the mess.

Losing Livestock, Losing Livelihoods
Tipo: Article
Autor: Susanne Gura and the League for Pastoral Peoples Fecha: enero 2003

Although less talked about, the loss of biodiversity in domestic animals is even more acute than in crops, because the gene pool is already much smaller and because fewer wild relatives remain. Livestock conservation programmes have not been a priority and local breeds are continuing to disappear at an alarming rate. This neglect poses a serious threat to the global food supply and the millions of people who depend on domestic animals for their livelihoods

The native sheep of Chiapas: A story of fleeces, global markets and women in woollen skirts
Tipo: Article
Autor: Raul Perezgrovas Fecha: enero 2003

In Mexico, the boom time enjoyed after introducing crossbred sheep was short-lived as globalisation destroyed internal and external markets for the Mexican industry. But in the highlands of Chiapas, Tzotzil shepherdesses managed successfully to side-step globalisation and hold on to their cherished local breeds. Now Chiapas is one of the few remaining areas of Mexico where sheep - especially native sheep - are thriving.

Pastoral life in Iran: a changing landscape
Tipo: Article
Autor: CENESTA Fecha: enero 2003

Over recent decades Iran’s pastoralists have been experiencing changes that have totally altered the social, political and economic landscapes through which they must navigate. To discover the impact of these changes on local breeds, a group of pastoralists were gathered from throughout the country to discuss their experiences. The dialogue was facilitated by Taghi Farvar and Maryam Rahmanian of Iran’s Centre for Sustainable Development (CENESTA)

with Carlos Correa
Tipo: Interviews
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: enero 2003

GRAIN’s article in the October 2002 issue of Seedling entitled “Biopiracy by another name: a review of the FAO-CGIAR trusteeship system” stimulated quite some debate. To air some of the sticky points, we asked intellectual property rights expert Carlos Correa to share his views.

NGO committee shuns the CGIAR
Tipo: Sprouting up
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: enero 2003

Global growth of GM crops
Tipo: Sprouting up
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: enero 2003

from Latin America
Tipo: Homepage
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: enero 2003

January 2003
Tipo: Resources
Autor: GRAIN Fecha: enero 2003