Genetically Modified Food Worldwide IP Challenges
Hans Morten Haugen and Thomas Bøhn 2016: ‘Genetically Modified Food Worldwide IP Challenges’, in Charles Schasteen (ed. of Food BioSciences) & Geoffrey Smithers (Editor in Chief), Elevier’s Food Science Reference Module. ISBN 9780081005965.
10 Pages Posted: 25 Oct 2017
Date Written: October 24, 2016
Abstract
There are complex GM-food-IP links. This article highlights sustainability and socioeconomic impacts, acknowledging that food safety is also a crucial part of food security. GM food plants has so far not contributed adequately to food security. Patent enforcement creates tension and power asymmetries between corporations and farmers. While Bt-transgenic plants lead to reduced spraying of pesticides compared to conventional farming, herbicide tolerant plants increase pesticide load. Moreover, the search for drought resistance in plants seem, this far, to be better off with conventional breeding. IP protection promotes modern biotechnology options, but may impede biodiversity and small-scale local innovation by farmers.
Keywords: Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, European Patent Office, European Seed Association, European Union, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), food security, genetically modified organism (GMO), Intellectual Property (IP), Monsanto, Patent, Percy Schmeiser, TRIPS Agreement
JEL Classification: K39, Q10, Q18
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation