Genetic Engineering is not an Alternative to Sustainable Agriculture to
Feed the World
<http://www.eed.de/en/en.col/en.col.d/en.sub.27/en.sub.pub/en.pub.de.356/>
EED, Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst
In connection with the work of the EED in the global south, we have collected the experiences of partners and EED seconded professionals overseas and looked into the question of whether or not genetic engineering is necessary in agriculture and nutrition in order to fight
rural poverty and hunger.
The case studies of our practical development work in this Reader document some of the problems with rural development if it relies too much on genetic engineering. The experiences also show that this genetic engineering has not only been pretty ineffective thus far, but
actually puts other forms of agriculture, especially agro-ecological approaches, at risk.
Genetic engineering is no alternative to an agro-ecological approach, which is shaped by principles of diversity and improved with the involvement of local farmers. The agro-ecological participatory approach not only promises better yields together with improved environmental conditions, its distribution effect is also more advantageous: it is of direct benefit to poor peasant farmers.
Most of the articles in this volume arise from a four-year joint work project coordinated by the EED, in which 18 partners from all continents and all departments in the EED were involved. This programme formed a mutual exchange among all participants, a new relationship with our
partners, but also as part of a new South-South Dialogue among our partners. Its theme focused not only on the use of agro-ecological methods, but also on the influence that national legislation can exert on genetic engineering law. It was also involved in joint lobbying at the international level on questions of biosafety and sustainable agriculture. We look back on this complex, but ultimately rich learning process with gratitude. Our special thanks go to our overseas partners,
who proved to us that development policy is no longer a one-way street.
This process of mutual learning must continue!
The reader can be downloaded from the homepage. In special cases we can distribute the 122 page book to highly interested people on request (please mail to: vertrieb@eed.de).