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Shaping Brazil's emerging GMO policy: opportunities for leadership
Author(s) -
Griffin Jennifer J.,
McNulty Michael,
Schoeffler William
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of public affairs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.221
H-Index - 20
eISSN - 1479-1854
pISSN - 1472-3891
DOI - 10.1002/pa.29
Subject(s) - stewardship (theology) , developing country , agribusiness , position (finance) , cash crop , business , economic growth , economics , economy , agriculture , political science , geography , politics , finance , archaeology , law
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), when first developed, were seen as bringing hope to developing nations. In Brazil, as elsewhere in the world, many believe that the consumption of GMOs in foodstuffs, commonly referred to as ‘Franken foods’, is harmful to one's health and the environment. Yet Brazil has much to lose and much to gain. For Brazil, the GMO debate centres around growing, developing and exporting soybeans, the country's hottest cash crop. The prominence of agribusiness in Brazil's economy, its abundant farm land, and developing road and seaport systems, coupled with sweeping changes to GMO policy, both domestically and among trading partners, puts Brazil in a unique leadership position. Much is at stake as the impacts of GMOs, mandatory labelling and environmental stewardship are debated. Balancing these competing interests will have a significant impact on Brazil's future as the world's second largest producer of soybeans. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.