1. Political Economy & Sociology of Agricultural Biotechnology Shuji HISANO Graduate School of Agriculture Hokkaido University Seoul National University – Hokkaido University 4th Joint Symposium, Oct 21-23, 2001, Seoul, Korea

2. Our Viewpoints on Science & Technology 1. Rhetoric of Neutrality embedded in Science & Technology should be Questioned Science & Technology are shaped in the context of political economy Science & Technology are shaped in the context of political economy Current development of agricultural biotechnology reflects a decision- making process in which various interests are concerned Current development of agricultural biotechnology reflects a decision- making process in which various interests are concerned

3. Consumers’ Concerns Evolving Just fear to eat “Frankenstein-foods” Just fear to eat “Frankenstein-foods” Concerns about possible adverse effects on environment Concerns about possible adverse effects on environment Recognition of institutional failures in risk management (or distrust of regulatory process) Recognition of institutional failures in risk management (or distrust of regulatory process) Recognition of political and market power behind GMO commercialization pushed ahead Recognition of political and market power behind GMO commercialization pushed ahead Suspicious about “techno-fix” solution as a means to alleviate world hunger Suspicious about “techno-fix” solution as a means to alleviate world hunger

4. Choices for Future Agriculture to Address Hunger Problem 1.Expand the area of farmland ⇒ deforestation and loss of biodiversity 2.Increase production in exporting countries to feed the world efficiently ⇒ Expansion and liberalization of food trade have resulted in deterioration of food security in importing countries 3.Increase total farm productivity in the countries which most need the food ⇒ Can GM technology help those countries to increase productivity and improve food security?

5. Feeding the World is not a Simple Problem GM tech may address the amount and quality of food available GM tech may address the amount and quality of food available GM tech cannot deal with the issues of access and distribution GM tech cannot deal with the issues of access and distribution What is the cause of hunger on earth? What is the cause of hunger on earth?  Production? …..No (only a few cases Yes)  Poverty and Uneven Land Distribution? …..Yes They need Money (vitamin M) to buy food and Land (vitamin L) to farm by themselves for themselves They need Money (vitamin M) to buy food and Land (vitamin L) to farm by themselves for themselves ⇒ GM tech (vitamin A) is not the answer

6. “Appropriate Biotechnology” Is Possible? A Handful TNCs control key techs and resources A Handful TNCs control key techs and resources  As far as poor farmers can’t afford GMOs, they are not TNCs’ customers We appreciate some of them for collaborating with researchers to develop poor farmer-oriented GMO We appreciate some of them for collaborating with researchers to develop poor farmer-oriented GMO  But, their patented tech and strategic resources continue to be available freely or cheaply? Public institutions and University are suffering from lack of money and depend on TNCs’ funds Public institutions and University are suffering from lack of money and depend on TNCs’ funds  Without changing framework, can “appropriate biotech” be shaped by public support?

7. “Paradigm Shift” -- Sustainable Agricultural System -- Prof. Pretty’s Survey of 208 projects from 52 countries shows; Remarkable yield increase Remarkable yield increase Better use of locally-available natural resources Better use of locally-available natural resources Improved human capital building (empowerment) Improved human capital building (empowerment) Economically, environmentally, and socially viable and positive to local livelihood Economically, environmentally, and socially viable and positive to local livelihood  Why not allocate enough money & resources to such a research and practices?

8. Our Viewpoints on Science & Technology 2.Limitations of “Sound-Science” Approach and Economic Approach There remain a lot of uncertainties There remain a lot of uncertainties We don’t know exactly the whole system of DNA, genome, human body, ecosystem, and relations among these sub-systems We don’t know exactly the whole system of DNA, genome, human body, ecosystem, and relations among these sub-systems We don’t know long-term effects of GMOs We don’t know long-term effects of GMOs We don’t have any absolute criteria to cope with and calculate these uncertain risk and/or benefit in terms of money We don’t have any absolute criteria to cope with and calculate these uncertain risk and/or benefit in terms of money

9. Our Viewpoints on Science & Technology 3. Democratization of Science & Technology Citizens’ involvement in decision-making processes is important Citizens’ involvement in decision-making processes is important Because….everyone is a participant in a global experiment with GMOs Because….everyone is a participant in a global experiment with GMOs Decisions must be accomplished through a process of debate and negotiation in which all stakeholders have a voice Decisions must be accomplished through a process of debate and negotiation in which all stakeholders have a voice

10. Expert Panel Democratizing Process in Consensus Conference Citizen Panel (with diverse backgrounds) Natural scientists Social scientists NGOsRegulatorCompanyJournalists Debate & Negotiation Interdisciplinary….? Civil society (all stakeholders)

11. Conclusion Interdisciplinary research to evaluate this new technology or the direction of its innovation Interdisciplinary research to evaluate this new technology or the direction of its innovation Informed democratic debate on science & technology in which all stakeholders involved and have a voice Informed democratic debate on science & technology in which all stakeholders involved and have a voice These are the indispensable steps for us to fulfill our social responsibilities These are the indispensable steps for us to fulfill our social responsibilities

12. Bio-Majors Control Everything Companies World Pesticide (mil$, rank) World Seed (mil$, rank) US Corn Seed (%, rank) US Plant patent Bt-gene related patent OECD regist. GMOs Corn / Soy GMOs in field test 199919991997-1999-1996.6-2000.8-2001.5 Syngenta5,888①947③9.0③205464185 Monsanto3,885②1,700②14.0②17343271,629 Aventis # 3,701③288⑫7.0④552211346 Dow2,271④350⑨4.0⑤4522-113 Bayer # 2,252⑤----n.d.--- BASF2,228⑥n.d.---n.d.4-- DuPont2,009⑦1,850①42.0①18453848 Top 7 80%24%76% 30 % 51%88%85% # Bayer announced the agreement to acquire Aventis CropScience recently.