Biotechnology in developing countries
By Nadine Bushell 28.09.08
Member of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice
There is recognition that the situation of developed and developing countries will be different in
a number of areas. Biotechnology is no different. Keeping as a guiding principle the promotion
of the common good, we must ensure that the use of biotechnology must promote the well being
of the less advantaged countries of the world as well as highlight the responsibilities of all
nations.
The social doctrine of the Church advises that there must be efforts to ensure that disadvantaged
persons are not left out of advances in biotechnology which could benefit them especially in the
areas of food supply and health.
“In a spirit of international solidarity, various measures can be taken in relation to the use of
new biotechnologies. In the first place, equitable commercial exchange, without the burden of
unjust stipulations, is to be facilitated. Promoting the development of the most disadvantaged
peoples, however, will not be authentic or effective if it is reduced to the simple exchange of
products.
It is indispensable to foster the development of a necessary scientific and technological
autonomy on the part of these same peoples, promoting the exchange of scientific and
technological knowledge and the transfer of technologies to developing countries.”
A BioMed Central Public Health Journal indicates that the benefits of biotechnology are
concentrated primarily in the industrialised world, while its potential to combat neglected
diseases in the developing world has been largely untapped. If building developing world
biotechnology capacity to address local health needs is not done, this disparity will only
intensify.
There are however tangible suggestions for reducing this disparity. In the area of science there is
need for collaboration among various agencies and countries at the national, regional and
international level. The capacity of developing countries through education and training should
also be done.
Financial assistance should be provided to those who can’t afford to participate in biotechnology
activities, even encouraging businesses to contribute. Because of the nature of the subject matter
it is also very important to educate the population about developments in the field of
biotechnology and the implications for health and the environment.
It is therefore also critically important to develop the population’s capacity to understand the
ethical, social and cultural issues related to biotechnology. This enables them to contribute to the
shaping of biotechnology strategies and policies, since there are direct implications for them.
There has been some recognition by the Food and Agricultural Organisation that there are
several developing countries that have well-developed biotechnology programmes, and have
significant research capacity.
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It is critically important for developing countries to be involved in biotechnology activities
because of the implications for food security. “Solidarity also means appealing to the
responsibility of developing countries, and in particular of their political leaders, for promoting
trade policies that are favourable to their peoples and the exchange of technology that can
improve the conditions of their food supply and health.
In such countries, there must be an increase in research investment, with special attention to the
particular characteristics and needs of their territory and population, above all by bearing in mind
that some research in the area of biotechnology, which may be potentially beneficial, requires
relatively modest investments. To this end it would be useful to establish national agencies
responsible for protecting the common good by means of careful risk management.”
An example of biotechnology activities that some developing countries are involved in and
which were acquired from developed countries is research on a number of traits such as
herbicide tolerance and insect pest resistance on crops such as cotton, soybean and maize. Other
countries have focussed on other crops such as banana, cassava, cowpea, plantain, rice and
sorghum in relation to quality. There is an increasing drive to have research activities in
developing countries focus on issues important for food security.
“Scientists and technicians involved in the field of biotechnology are called to work intelligently
and with perseverance in seeking the best solutions to the serious and urgent problems of food
supply and health care. They must not forget that their activity concerns material — both living
and inanimate — that belongs to the patrimony of humanity and is destined also to future
generations.
For believers, it is a question of a gift received from the Creator and entrusted to human
intelligence and freedom, which are themselves also gifts from heaven. It is hoped that scientists
employ their energies and abilities in research characterised by enthusiasm and guided by a clear
and honest conscience.”
Along with the desire to combat hunger, poverty and disease in developing and applying
biotechnology, scientists have the task of protecting the rest of creation from all possible harms
that ensue.
Concerns have already been raised about certain experiments possibly having detrimental effects
on different areas of human existence, such as health and safety, environment and biodiversity,
culture, consumers’ rights, and proper distribution of food and earnings.
Next week we conclude the discussion on biotechnology.
Quotations in these articles are from the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church,
Persons interested in purchasing a copy of the Compendium can contact the Justice Desk,
Archbishop’s House at 622-6680. Also on sale at the Justice Desk are the Take a Bite Social
Justice Programme on DVD and the Responses to 101 Questions on Catholic Social Teaching.
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