Genetic resources and agricultural biotechnology

Abstract

Genetically modified crops have been a lightning rod in debates over the future of food and agriculture over the past two decades. The debate has sparked critical questions about the potential role for science in addressing hunger and in rural development. Corporate actors, with a strong interest in this debate, have actively sought to secure their rights over biotechnology while at the same time promoting the potentials of agricultural biotechnologies. Critics have been equally vocal in resisting and debunking those narratives, seeking to preserve natural plant diversity and ensure open access to plant genetic resources.

Keywords

• agricultural biotechnology
• genetically modified food