Biotechnology
holds the potential to dramatically increase the productivity of the
agricultural sector and in some cases invent new uses for traditional
crops. But potential productivity and other economic gains are accompanied
 by
a set of risks and concerns. Informed decisions on public investment
in agricultural biotechnology research and policies to safeguard the
use of novel products can only be made when stakeholder concerns are
identified, and the benefits and costs associated with using these
new technologies are clearly delineated to policy makers and the general
public.
The goal of this project is to provide policy makers and the general
public with information on the benefits, costs, risks, and tradeoffs
associated with the use of products arising from biotechnology research.
Our focus is on pharmaceutical use of transgenic tobaccoand genetically
engineered rice. Tobacco and rice are major foci for biotechnology
research, but have been subject to very little social and economic
analysis. Producing biologics and food products from genetically
modified crops could be beneficial to millions of consumers, and
might help maintain the economic viability of farms producing these
crops. However, a myriad of concerns have been raised regarding
the potential negative impact of genetically engineered crops on
human health, environmental safety, and preservation of local cultures.
By investigating and clarifying the benefits, costs, risks, and
tradeoffs associated with transgenic tobacco and rice products for
various stakeholders, this project contributes to forming better-informed
public opinion and policies.
Click here to read
more about our project objectives...
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