Title: Are genetically modified (GM) crops a commercial risk for Africa?

Authors: Robert Paarlberg

Addresses: Department of Political Science, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA

Abstract: What risks might Africa face if it decided to plant genetically modified (GM) agricultural crops? A rough calculation based on current export profiles for one sampling of eastern and southern African countries suggests that the commercial export risks incurred outside of Africa would be quite small. Most of Africa|s exports of goods that might be considered GM currently go to other African countries, rather than to Europe, Asia, or some other GM-sensitive destination. This raises a trade policy coordination challenge for Africa, but only a small commercial export risk beyond Africa.

Keywords: genetically modified crops; GM crops; developing countries; genetic modification; GMOs; agricultural biotechnology; Africa; agriculture; food exports; trade policy; food production crisis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTG.2006.009128

International Journal of Technology and Globalisation, 2006 Vol.2 No.1/2, pp.81 - 92

Published online: 03 Mar 2006 *

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