Biotechnological patents and morality: A critical view from a developing country
Biotechnology has now become an important factor for the increasing rate of scientific and technological development, particularly in the fields of medicine and agriculture. A great deal of modern pharmaceuticals have been directly and indirectly developed from biotech inventions. For example, it is estimated that nearly 30 per cent of the present world drug market is accounted for by biotechnological products such as antibiotics, steroids, vitamins, and vaccines. The significance of biotechnology may stem from the fact that some modern drugs developed from biotechnology are able to target traditional diseases more precisely than conventional drugs, and biotech medicines provide more precise cures with fewer side effects (Business Week, 1992, pp. 52-53). In agriculture, plant breeding was once restricted to sexually compatible plants, and generations of offspring were selectively bred to create unique varieties. Currently, genetically modified (GM) crops have the fastest adoption rate of any new technology in global agriculture simply because of their claimed benefits from higher yields and lowered production costs. It is estimated that over 9,000 permits have been issued to field-test GM crops by United States Animal and Plant Health ABsTrACT
Benefits Associated with Nutrigenomics Research and Their Reporting in the Scientific Literature: Researchers' Perspectives
Nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics (NGx) are fields of research that have raised significant expectations about their potential benefits. This article presents empirical data from an online survey seeking the opinions of NGx researchers (n = 126) regarding the achievability of the potential benefits of NGx, the time envisioned for their realization, the motives that may lead to their explicit mention in scientific peer-reviewed articles and the audience(s) targeted by NGx researchers when reporting their results in such articles. Results show that caution should be taken to avoid the risks associated with biohype and the premature dissemination of the potential benefits of NGx among various audiences.
Zaaizaad en pootgoed in de Nederlandse landbouw
The annual input for seed was about 7.5 % of the total cost of the crop; selection and testing of new varieties costed only 0. 1 %; plant breeding increased the return from field crops by at least + % annually. After an introduction to the theme of which these are some of the main results there are 8 further chapters, dealing with: standards for seed; use and handling of seed; purchase of seed by farmers; local and regional seed exhibitions; introduction of new crops and varieties; field inspection of crops for seed; the Plant Breeders' Decree (1941); the marketing of Dutch seeds and seed potatoes. Changes in the testing of seeds and seed potatoes are sketched for the last three quarters of a century. Measures, which Dutch breeders, seed-growers, seed-merchants and the government were taking to improve varieties, seeds and seed potatoes are reviewed and discussed.