WHO IS IN CONTROL ??
The genetic engineering industry is dominated by a handful of multinational corporations holding interests in food, additives, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and seeds.
These corporations are beginning to hold monopolies in the global market for genetically engineered products.
This is being facilitated through:
1. the World Trade Organisation
which gives priority to free-trade and makes it difficult
for countries to refuse a new product or technology even if they have concerns
about its potential impact on health or the environment.
2. patenting rights
which allow corporations to patent new genetically engineered varieties.
This gives them control over huge areas of the market.
It is very expensive to research, develop and patent new crops
and this reinforces the trend towards market dominance by the larger companies.
3. a systematic process of acquisitions and mergers
these mergers incorporate seed companies, genetic engineering companies and other related interests.
Monsanto, for example, has spent $8 billion on new acquisitions in the past three years.
"This is not just a consolidation of seed companies, it's really a consolidation of the entire food chain "
Robert T. Fraley, co-president of Monsanto's agricultural sector
- genetical changes lead to more decrease of biodiversity and more profit for multinationals
- poor farmers in 3th world countries don't have the money to buy their seeds
- and so this leads to more poverty
Greenpeace
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