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Article Evaluation On Subaltern (postcolonialism)
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Relationship Between GM Seeds and Farmers
[edit]While genetically modified (GM) seeds are praised for their resistance to pests,[1] they also present challenges for the farmers using them. Traditionally, farmers are able to save seeds from one season to the next.[2] However, GM seeds are genetically different than non-GM seeds. One of the primary differences is the presence of something called "Terminator Technology."[2] This difference in genetic composition makes it impossible for seeds from one season to be replanted in the next.[3] This results in farmers having to purchase more seeds than usual each new year. "Year in and year out farmers are losing the seeds from their own plants, and are forced to purchase them anew from seed providers."[4] As a result of having to buy the seeds new every season, farmers are now incurring costs that once did not exist.
Ghana would not be the first country to introduce GM seeds into their agricultural practices. While these seeds are recognized as a huge step forward in the technological advances of the agricultural industry,[1] farmers need to be aware of the controversy around the inclusion of GM seeds. Current research confirms the notion that using GM seeds will increase crop yields.[1] In addition to producing more crops, GM seeds also require less pesticides.[1] However, there are also negative implications of using GM seeds. In order to use GM seeds, farmers must engage in a contract with the large multinational organizations controlling the use of these seeds.[1] Certain contracts include a "no save seed clause" prohibiting farmers from using the same seeds season to season.[1]
Control of Knowledge
[edit]One of the many controversies surrounding the inclusion of genetically modified organisms into developing countries is the control that the multinational corporations (MNCs) and their seeds will have over the local farmers and their lands.[5] Through the biological and scientific evolution of the seed, these corporations have managed to change the capabilities of seeds. These newly modified capabilities inherently cast non-genticically modified seeds as primitive.[5] MNCs are going into developing countries with their new and improved seeds discrediting the local knowledge of agricultural practices generated over the years, and the natural evolutions that have occurred. [5] "Multinational corporations exploit the advantages as well as the weaknesses in the various conventions increasingly to monopolize the seed and germ plasm industry, without due consideration for farmers and developing countries."[5]
The use of GM seeds presents the risks of "increasing the poverty gap within and between societies, reducing biodiversity, and antitrust and international trade issues."[5]
"disenfranchisement of farmers and peasants who could no longer be the custodians of the common genetic heritage through breeding, improvement and conservation of seeds."[5]
Edits to History of GM seeds in Ghana
[edit]The National Seed Trade Association of Ghana (NASTAG) publicly advocates for the inclusion of GM seeds in Ghana for the purpose of aiding their agricultural development and mitigating the affects of climate change on their food sovereignty.[6] The use of GM seeds in Ghana will reduce the amount of chemicals and time farmers have to spend spraying their crops with pesticides.[6] In 2011, the Biosafety Act was passed in Ghana permitting the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to conduct trials of certain GMO products.[6] It is estimated that genetically modified cowpea, one of the products the CSIR has been experimenting with, will be safe to be on the market in Ghana in 2019.[6]
Late 2017, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has been advocating for education to be provided to the people of Ghana on GM seeds and GMO products.[7] Through education, he believes that the public will accept and understand the importance of GMO products in assisting Ghana's economy and development.[7] The National Biosafety Authority Board is set to "make decisions on biosafety applications for safe development, transfer, handling, and use of GMOs in Ghana, and address socio-economic issues related to biotechnology and biosafety."[7]
At the same time that Professor Frimpong-Boateng has been advocating for public education on GMO inclusion, Food Sovereignty Ghana is suing the National Biosafety Authority Board for its plans to proceed with the introduction of GM products on the local market.[8] This is Food Sovereignty Ghana's second time suing the Board, the first time being back in 2015.[8]
Food Sovereignty
[edit]If Ghana approves the use of GM seeds in their market, they will be the fourth country in Africa to incorporate GMO products in their agriculture industry.[6]
- ^ a b c d e f Kruft, David. "Impacts of Genetically-Modified Crops and Seeds on Farmers" (PDF).
- ^ a b "The Terminator Gene: Intellectual Property Rights vs. the Farmers' Common Law Right to Save Seed Note 7 Drake Journal of Agricultural Law 2002". heinonline.org. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ "Terminator Technology: the threat to world food security". go.galegroup.com.proxy.library.carleton.ca. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ "The Privatisation of Seeds | Biodiversity". RESET.to. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
- ^ a b c d e f Adi, Bongo (2006). The Journal Of World Intellectual Property. pp. 92–112.
- ^ a b c d e "GMO technology can turn around Ghana's fortunes – Seed Producers". 2017-09-04. Retrieved 2017-12-22.
- ^ a b c "Ghanaians require proper education on GMOs – Minister - Ghana News". Ghana News. 2017-09-26. Retrieved 2017-12-22.
- ^ a b "Food Sovereignty Ghana sues gov't again over GMOs". 2017-11-27. Retrieved 2017-12-22.