Golden Rice

Promises but no results - GM crops in development cooperation

[img_assist|nid=178|title=|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=100|height=43]GM plants are often put forward as a chance for developing countries to combat hunger. However, the evaluation of GM plants grown in developing countries or developed for them show that they fail to reach this goal. The examples of virus-resistant sweet-potatoes, pro-vitamin A rice and Bt maize show that these GM crops are an inappropriate approach to solve the issues that cause hunger and poverty.

October 2005

A. Lorch, Die richtingen Maße für die Nahrung. Ethik in den Wissenschaften, October 2005.

Vitamin A deficiency: Diverse causes, diverse solutions

[img_assist|nid=179|title=|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=100|height=43]Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) affects about 40% of the world population. Many of those affected from vitamin and mineral deficiencies (VMD) appear to have enough to eat but still regularly miss vitamins and micronutrients such as iron, iodine or calcium in their diet. VAD especially affects small children and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, resulting in higher suspectibility to other diseases and irreversible blindness.

March 2005

A. Lorch, Greenpeace March 2005

Golden Rice update: Vitamin A deficiency - Diverse causes, diverse solutions

[img_assist|nid=143|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=43]The goal of combating VAD is not to provide medical treatment, it is to avoid VAD and another VMDs. By combating VAD with home gardens, sustainable systems are created that provide food security and diversity from the grassroots level - in a way that empowers women and protects agro-biodiversity.

Submitted by Antje on 15 Mar 2005.

Freedom to Operate

[img_assist|nid=143|title=|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=100|height=43]In zunehmenden Maße werden wissenschafltiche Erkenntnisse und Technologien patentiert, aber WissenschaftlerInnen wird in der Regel zugestanden für ihre eigene Forschung patentierte Substanzen, Technologien und Gensequenzen zu gebrauchen. In anderen Fällen regeln Material Transfer Agreemtnes den Zugang zu intellektuellem oder technischem Eigentum.

March 2002

A. Lorch, Koryphäe, März 2002.

Golden Rice - Is this the way to solve malnutrition?

[img_assist|nid=143|title=|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=100|height=43]Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a serious form of malnutrition that weakens the immune system and may cause blindness. Several measures address VAD and have shown positive results. Genetically modified rice containing beta-carotene is a new approach in an early experimental stage. Golden Rice demonstrates the problems of public research in an area where both plant and technology are heavily protected by patents.

July 2001

A. Lorch, Biotechnology and Development Monitor March 2001