AGENDA FOR ACTION? by GRAIN | 28 Mar 2002 Seedling - March 1992 The main product of the "Earth Summit" will be an agreed programme of action: Agenda 21. As the final Preparatory Conference for the Earth Summit gets under way this month in New York, we look at those parts of Agenda 21 which deal with the conservation and utilization of genetic resources: biodiversity, biotechnology and sustainable agriculture. The main product of the "Earth Summit" will be an agreed programme of action: Agenda 21. As the final Preparatory Conference for the Earth Summit gets under way this month in New York, we look at those parts of Agenda 21 which deal with the conservation and utilization of genetic resources: biodiversity, biotechnology and sustainable agriculture.
FUNDING THE EARTH SUMMIT by GRAIN | 25 Mar 1992 Seedling - March 1992 Key to the success of the "Earth Summit" is the funding mechanism. The Global Environment Facility (GEF), run by the World Bank, is the North 's candidate to take on this role. In this article we assess the need and possible mechanisms for funding, and conclude that the GEF, in its present form, does not match up to the challenges. Key to the success of the "Earth Summit" is the funding mechanism. The Global Environment Facility (GEF), run by the World Bank, is the North 's candidate to take on this role. In this article we assess the need and possible mechanisms for funding, and conclude that the GEF, in its present form, does not match up to the challenges.
ANOTHER PROMISE DOWN THE DRAIN? by GRAIN | 20 Mar 1992 Seedling - March 1992 The race to get new biotech products to the market includes the development of biological pesticides and pest-resistant crops. However, pests continually evolve and tend to develop immunity against the new cures. This seems to be already the case with the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) which produces a toxin that kills harmful insects, and on which researchers have put their hopes for a chemical-free agriculture. This article looks at the background, points to the narrow focus of research and warns that, if current trends prevail, another promise of the new biotechnologies might prove to be an empty one. The race to get new biotech products to the market includes the development of biological pesticides and pest-resistant crops. However, pests continually evolve and tend to develop immunity against the new cures. This seems to be already the case with the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) which produces a toxin that kills harmful insects, and on which researchers have put their hopes for a chemical-free agriculture. This article looks at the background, points to the narrow focus of research and warns that, if current trends prevail, another promise of the new biotechnologies might prove to be an empty one.