July 2003 ( 1.9 MB)
Type: Whole issue
Date: July 2003

Blinded by the gene
Type: Editorial
Author: GRAIN Date: July 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.

Translated into: français   Español

Unravelling the DNA myth
Type: Article
Author: Barry Commoner Date: July 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
Type: Article
Author: Abdul Qayam and Kiran Sakkhari Date: July 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?
Type: Article
Author: Aaron deGrassi and Peter Rosset Date: July 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
Type: Article
Author: Michel Pimbert Date: July 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
Type: Interviews
Author: GRAIN Date: July 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.

Translated into: français  

Farmer’s privilege under attack
Type: Sprouting up
Author: GRAIN Date: July 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.

Translated into: français  

the GRAIN Home Page is dedicated to struggle against GM crops in Asia.
Type: Homepage
Author: GRAIN Date: July 2003

Aveuglés par le gène
Type: Editorial
Author: GRAIN Date: July 2003

Translated into: English   Español

Entretien avec le professeur Johnson Ekpere
Type: Interviews
Author: GRAIN Date: July 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.

Translated into: English  

Attaque contre le privilège des agriculteurs
Type: Sprouting up
Author: GRAIN Date: July 2003

Translated into: English  

Living with the Fluid Genome
Type: Resources
Author: Mae-Wan Ho Date: July 2003

DNA: The Secret of Life by James D Watson, with Andrew Berry (New York: Knopf, 2003)
Type: Resources
Author: M Susan Lindee Date: July 2003