Genetically Modified Organisms in Developing Countries: Risk Analysis and Governance

Bringing together the ideas of experts from around the world, this incisive text offers cutting-edge perspectives on the risk analysis and governance of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), supporting effective and informed decision-making in developing countries. Comprised of four comprehensive sections, this book covers: integrated risk analysis and decision making, giving an overview of the science involved and examining risk analysis methods that impact decision-making on the release of GMOs, particularly in developing countries; diversification of expertise involved in risk analysis and practical ways in which the lack of expertise in developing countries can be overcome; risk analysis based regulatory systems and how they can be undermined by power relationships and socio-political interests, as well as strategies for improving GMO policy development and regulatory decision-making; and case studies from developing countries providing lessons based on real-world experience that can inform our current thinking.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction Ademola A. Adenle, E. Jane Morris and Denis J. Murphy; 2. Recent scientific developments in genetic technologies: implications for future regulation of GMOs in developing countries Denis J. Murphy; 3. A strategy for integrating science into regulatory decision-making for GMOs Wendy Craig, Dennis Ndolo Obonyo and Mark Tepfer; 4. Governance of benefits and risks of GMOs in developing countries E. Jane Morris; 5. The Canadian experience with the creation and implementation of regulatory frameworks for the environmental release of GM crops as a model for developing countries Phil Macdonald; 6. Labelling of food from GMOs: options to consider by developing countries Wilna Jansen van Rijssen and Wynand J. van der Walt; 7. Building human capacity and skills in biosafety: lessons learned and emerging best practices John Komen and Muffy Koch; 8. Regulation of GMOs in developing countries: why socioeconomic considerations matter for decision-making Jose Falck-Zepeda and Marnus Gouse; 9. Food safety assessment of genetically modified crops in developing countries: the experience in Africa Godwin Lemgo, Narender Nehra and Hector Quemada; 10. Being scientific about socio-economics in GMO decision-making in developing countries Monica Racovita; 11. The sharing of information in risk assessment: how national authorities co-operate Peter Kearns, Bertrand Dagallier and Takahiko Nikaido; 12. Should GM rice with nutrition benefits be deployed? Findings from biotech and socio-economic research Hans De Steur, Dieter Blancquaert, Christophe Stove, Willy Lambert, Dominique Van Der Straeten and Xavier Gellynck; 13. The risk analysis framework and biosafety policy Peter W. B. Phillips and Stuart J. Smyth; 14. Precautionary principle as a barrier to GMO risk analysis: Elicitation of experts' viewpoints Ademola A. Adenle; 15. How do socio-political disputes of GMOs influence decision-making in developing countries? Hossein Azadi, Ademola A. Adenle and Klaus Ammann; 16. Biosafety communication: beyond risk communication Andrea Sonnino and Sandra Sharry; 17. The role of mass media and lobbies in the formulation of GMO regulations Mauro Vigani; 18. Risk regulation of agricultural GMOs in China: challenges and prospects Wen Xiang; 19. Commercial use and governance of Bt cotton in China Yunhe Li, Yanhui Lu, Eric M. Hallerman, Yufa Peng and Kongming Wu; 20. Regulatory regime of genetically modified crops in India Krishna Ravi Srinivas; 21. The Argentinian GMO biosafety system: an evolving perspective Carmen Vicien and Eduardo Trigo; 22. The Brazilian GMO regulatory system: a historical view and perspective Edivaldo Domingues Velini, Maria Lúcia Zaidan Dagli, Gutemberg Delfino de Souza, Rubens José Nascimento, Tassiana Fronza Pinho, Paulo Paes de Andrade and Helaine Carrer; 23. Effective regulatory regime supported by research and development is key to adoption of GM technology in West Africa: Burkina Faso and Nigeria as case studies Olalekan Akinbo, Ademola A. Adenle and Diran Makinde; 24. Pathway for biosafety regulation of GMOs in Sub-Saharan Africa Julius Ecuru; 25. Conclusions and recommendations E. Jane Morris, Ademola A. Adenle and Denis J. Murphy.

About the Author :
Ademola A. Adenle has over sixteen years of research and international experience, and was a research fellow and principal investigator at the United Nations University (UNU), Japan, where he coordinated the largest and most comprehensive study in the history of genetically modified (GM) agriculture in Africa, revealing a diverse range of challenges impeding the development of effective biosafety regulatory frameworks across the continent. Further to this research work, he specializes in science and technology policy addressing sustainable development challenges and uses his background in applied science to study social aspects of science and technology in agricultural development, biodiversity conservation, renewable energy, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and health innovation in developing countries. E. Jane Morris is the former director of the African Centre for Gene Technologies and now an independent bioscience consultant, with over tweny-five years' experience working in the biotechnology field in Africa. As chair of the South African advisory committee on genetic modification before the introduction of the GMO Act, she was instrumental in the introduction of GMO legislation in that country. She has a fellowship at the University of Leeds. Denis J. Murphy is professor of biotechnology at the University of South Wales and advisor to the Food and Agriculture Organization. He has published numerous books and over three hundred research articles on crop biotechnology and related areas.