David Castle and Kira KumagaiUniversity of OttawaCeline Berard and Martin CloutierUniversity of Québec at MontréalRichard GoldMcGill University Plant-derived vaccines may soon displace conventional vaccines. Assuming there are no major technological barriers undermining the feasibility of this innovative technology, it is worthwhile to…

Koen DillenAgricultural and Food Economics Section, Katholieke, Universiteit LeuvenMatty DemontAfrica Rice Center (WARDA)Eric TollensAgricultural and Food Economics Section, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Ex-post impact studies of genetically modified crops indicate that society is capturing sizeable gains in agricultural biotechnology. In Europe, in contrast,…

Rupa Karmarkar-Deshmukh and Carl E. PrayRutgers Universi It has been shown in recent years that high energy prices induce investments in energy research. $100/barrel oil, strategic concerns, concerns about global warming, and pork-barrel politics have also rekindled the enthusiasm of the public…

Laurian UnnevehrUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignCarl PrayRutgers UniversityRobert PaarlbergWellesley College Market failure for nutritional attributes of foods leads to underinvestment in crop breeding to enhance nutritional content of foods. As awareness of the importance of micronutrient deficiencies in the diets of poor…

Carl PrayRutgers UniversityRobert PaarlbergWellesley CollegeLaurian UnnevehrUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign This article first examines the political response to two crops that were nutritionally enhanced through conventional breeding— Quality Protein Maize (QPM) and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. In the next section, the political response…

Robert PaarlbergWellesley CollegeCarl PrayRutgers University The introduction of novel foods and crops into the developing world triggers different reactions from different political actors. Quite often, the patterns of response in developing countries run parallel to policy debates in rich countries, reflecting the…

David DaweFood and Agriculture Organization (FAO)Laurian UnnevehrUniversity of Illinois Golden Rice is genetically modified to provide beta-carotene in the rice grain and it could potentially address widespread Vitamin A deficiency in poor countries where rice is a staple. Political opponents have viewed…

David DaweFood and Agriculture Organization (FAO)Laurian UnnevehrUniversity of Illinois Golden Rice is genetically modified to provide beta-carotene in the rice grain and it could potentially address widespread Vitamin A deficiency in poor countries where rice is a staple. Political opponents have viewed…

Carl E. PrayRutgers UniversityJikun HuangChinese Academy of Sciences Despite making enormous strides in reducing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition, China still has large numbers of people who do not consume sufficient micronutrients such as iron, zinc and Vitamin A. To meet this need,…

Bharat RamaswamiIndian Statistical Institute Micronutrient deficiencies are responsible for major health problems among the poor in India. Biofortification promises to be a cost-effective approach in enhancing the intake of micronutrients. However, it requires government support in terms of resources and regulatory climate….