International environmental Law PDF
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Added on 2021-05-31
International environmental Law PDF
Added on 2021-05-31
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Surname 0INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAWName:Course:Tutor:Date:Table of Contents0
Surname 11.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................21.1 Background of the Research..................................................................................................21.2 Aims of the Research.............................................................................................................31.3 Objectives of the Research....................................................................................................31.4 Research Questions................................................................................................................32.0 Literature Review......................................................................................................................32.1 Concept of GMO Trade Regulation......................................................................................32.2 Benefits and Risks if GMO Crops Trade...............................................................................42.3 Need for GMO Regulations...................................................................................................42.4 Impact of GMO Reations on Developing Countries.............................................................53.0 Research Methodology..............................................................................................................53.1 Research Philosophy..............................................................................................................53.2 Research Logic......................................................................................................................53.3 Data Collection Method.........................................................................................................64.0 Conclusion.................................................................................................71
Surname 21.0 Introduction1.1 Background of the ResearchThe agricultural sector is the backbone of the economies of most of the developing countries. In Africa (which accounts for over half of the developing countries), the sector employs over 65% of the continent’s workforce. The continent derives over 32% of its GDP from agricultural activities. Unfortunately though, African farmers are typically smallholders who rely on small family gardens usually no bigger than 2 hectares. Most soils have depleted their nutrients and are prone to the adverse tropical climate with frequent droughts, floods and soil erosion.1Cereal production in the continent has stood at just 1tone per hectare over the last 40 years, a situation made worse by pests and disease. Addressing these perennial problems requires strategies that span macro-policies; rather the solution lies in availing the rural populations in the developing world with technologies that can stimulate adequate food production. Modern biotechnology has provided one such tool which could help enhance agricultural production in developing countries: Genetically Modified Organisms.GMO or Genetically Modified Organism is an organism whose genome has been engineered in the laboratory using recombinant DNA technology or transgenic technology in order to effect the expression of certain physiological traits that are desirable. Through recombinant DNA technology scientists come up with organisms whose genomes are altered with precision at the molecular level. This is usually done through the inclusion of foreign genes (into the DNA of an organism whose genome is targeted for alteration) that code for the desired physiological traits which would not otherwise be achieved through conventional breeding technologies. For 1Sujata, Nutrition Assistance In Farmers Markets. (No date)2
Surname 3instance in genetically modifying a plant to become drought or pest resistant genes that code for drought, or pest resistance can be inserted into the DNA of the seeds. Similar methods have beenused to obtain seeds that produce higher yield e.g. the ‘golden rice’ which was genetically engineered to produce about 20 times more carotene. This was done by insertion of genes from Narcissus pseudonarcissus and Erwiniauredovorawhichenabled the accumulation of carotene to accumulate in the endosperm of the Genetically Modified rice. Despite the successes of the Genetically Modified food (GM food) the area has been the subject of debate for a long time.2 It is noteworthy though that the WHO holds that GM foods do not present health risk that are any different from non-GM foods. This position is largely shared by a vast number of scientific bodies such as the National Academy of Science (US), American Medical Association, the RoyalSociety of Medicine (UK), and the L’Académie des Sciences française (France).3 Despite the wide consensus on the safety of GM foods among the scientist groups, the confidence levels in the general population do not match. According to a Pew Research Center report, 88% of scientists who are members of the AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) hold the view that GM foods pose no health risks. Only 37% of the public share this view accounting for a 51% difference. This shows that most people are generally not ready to embrace the consumption of GM foods just yet and a lot needs to be done if the perceptions are to change.4Severalhealth, social, environmental, cultural and ethical questions have come to the 2Bennett et al., Successful Agricultural Innovation In Emerging Economies.(2013)3Krimsky et al., The GMO Deception (2011)4Robinson et al., GMO Myths And Truths (2015)3
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