Democratising biotechnology: an overview

This paper outlines the topics which are discussed further in the briefing series. They look at the dilemmas in biotechnology: are the poor in the developing world likely to gain the most from biotechnological innovation, or, alternatively, will they be the most badly affected by the introduction of genetically modified crops?

For a range of different issues, the briefings argue that a democratisation of biotechnology is needed if some of the worst case scenarios are to be avoided, and if imagined food and farming futures really are to be "pro-poor".

The paper also highlights challenges for the democratisation of biotechnology, rethinking several aspects of policy in the biotechnology debate is needed, and includes:

• understanding the impact of different trade choices for developing countries
• allowing for alternatives to dominant intellectual property right models
• fashioning regulatory systems responsive to local needs
• scrutinising the role of "sound science" in decision-making
• thinking carefully about "front-end" technology choice issues, not only "back-end" regulation
• allowing the marginalised, as well as elites, to reflect on the role of different technologies in different food and farming futures.

[adapted from author]