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….

Liborio S. CabanillaUniversity of the Philippines at Los Banos The Philippines established the first National Institute of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology in 1980. However, it was only in 2002 when Bt corn was first commercially introduced. Strong opposition by key sectors including…

Rosemary A. WolsonCouncil for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) South Africa was an early adopter of GM crops and, more recently, introduced a national food-fortification program. This article discusses the country’s experiences in developing an appropriate regulatory framework and the responses of…

Regina BirnerInternational Food Policy Research InstituteSanibé Abel KoneNational Programme for Citizenship Education (PNEC)Nicolas LinacreIndependent ConsultantDanielle ResnickCornell University Micronutrient deficiencies, especially deficiencies of Vitamin A, iron, and zinc, are widespread in Burkina Faso and Mali and contribute to high mortality rates. Biofortification of…