Title: Social resistance to biotechnology: attempts to create a Genetically Modified-free territory in Brazil

Authors: Victor Pelaez, Leticia Rodrigues Da Silva

Addresses: Department of Economics, Federal University of Parana, Brazil, Av. Pref. Lothario Meissner, 632, 880210-170 Curitiba, PR, Brazil. ' Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria, SEPN 511, Ed. Bittar II, sala 205-B, 70750-541 Brasilia, DF, Brazil

Abstract: This paper looks at the attempt to create a territory free of transgenic crops in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) Although the state government had legal grounds under federal law and court decisions that banned these crops in Brazil, resistance by groups representing local farmers managed to disseminate the planting of transgenic soybeans in the state. The reasons for the government|s failure have to do with the absence of an inter-institutional apparatus able to manage a number of economic, social, environmental, geographic and technical-scientific factors, as well as the lack of a social movement capable of assuring the legitimacy of decisions made by the state government in this area.

Keywords: biotechnology; genetically modified organisms; GMOs; regulation; Brazil; GMO-free zone; history; transgenic crops; GM crops; government policy; policy enforcement; soybeans.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTG.2008.020327

International Journal of Technology and Globalisation, 2008 Vol.4 No.3, pp.207 - 222

Published online: 16 Sep 2008 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article