The World Trade Organization Obligations and Legislative Policy: Choices in Developing Countries for Biotechnology

Abstract

Many developing and least-developed nations are exporters of conventional agricultural products, and such products have traditionally been free of genetically modified (GM) material in the international market. Now the scenario has changed, and they are facing issues for international market access. These countries have had genetically modified products introduced into their markets without their consent or knowledge. For example, it has been reported that soybean farmers in Argentina have used unlicensed ('brown bagged' in GM crop parlance) genetically engineered seed from Brazil, and that Bt cotton was in the fields in India before any governmental approval. Research on seeds smuggled in from other countries indicates that a regulated seed market would be safer than the current illegal market. When people adopt GM crops in a free-for-all atmosphere, it holds potential dangers.