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Reading tips
| Title |
Biosafety in the field of non-human gene technology |
| Publisher |
Environment Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) |
| Description |
The present research programme is dedicated to revealing possible negative effects of genetically modified plants (GMP) on the environment. The scientific basis for risk assessment by the authorities and for decision-making will be created. Four main themes comprising eight projects on poorly or up to now not at all studied aspects were chosen. The study describes the setting-up of a monitoring system accompanying cultivation, the expenditure associated with this system, as well as its limitations. It also suggests alternative options. The ethical basis for risk assessment will be discussed. This publication is only available in German.
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| Source |
www.bafu.admin.ch |
| Title |
Green gene technology |
| Publisher |
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft |
| Description |
Over the past years, few life science subjects have marked the public debate in Germany as strongly as green gene technology. Although this technology’s methods and results are very useful to basic research and practical agricultural applications, large parts of the public continue to be sceptical about or opposed to it. As a means of educational work, the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) has now published an easy to understand, richly illustrated brochure providing well-balanced reasoning on the subject. This publication is only available in German.
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| Source |
www.dfg.de |
| Title |
The top 100 questions of importance to the future of global agriculture |
| Publisher |
International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, Volume 8, Number 4, 2010, pp. 219-236 (18) |
| Description |
Despite a significant growth in food production over the past half-century, one of the most important challenges facing society today is how to feed an expected population of some nine billion by the middle of the 21st century. To meet the expected demand for food without significant increases in prices, it has been estimated that we need to produce 70-100 per cent more food, in light of the growing impacts of climate change, concerns over energy security, regional dietary shifts and the Millennium Development target of halving world poverty and hunger by 2015. The goal for the agricultural sector is no longer simply to maximize productivity, but to optimize across a far more complex landscape of production, rural development, environmental, social justice and food consumption outcomes. However, there remain significant challenges to developing national and international policies that support the wide emergence of more sustainable forms of land use and efficient agricultural production. The lack of information flow between scientists, practitioners and policy makers is known to exacerbate the difficulties, despite increased emphasis upon evidence-based policy. In this paper, we seek to improve dialogue and understanding between agricultural research and policy by identifying the 100 most important questions for global agriculture. The aim is to use sound scientific evidence to inform decision making and guide policy makers in the future direction of agricultural research priorities and policy support.
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| Source |
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/earthscan/ijas/2010/00000008/00000004/art00001 |
| Title |
Transgenic Plants for Food Security in the Context of Development |
| Publisher |
Pontifical Academy of Sciences |
| Description |
A study week on the subject of ÒTransgenic Plants for Food Security in the Context of DevelopmentÓ was held under the sponsorship of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences from 15-19 May 2009. During the meeting, recent advances in the scientific understanding of novel varieties of genetically engineered plants were surveyed, as well as the social conditions under which gene technology can be made available for the improvement of agriculture in general and for the benefit of the poor and vulnerable in particular. The spirit of the participants was inspired by the same approach to technology that Benedict XVI expressed in his new encyclical.
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| Source |
http://www.ask-force.org/web/Vatican-PAS-Statement-FPT-PDF/PAS-Statement-English-FPT.pdf |
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