Parables : applied economics literature about the impact of genetically engineered crop varieties in developing economies
Date
2006
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Publisher
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, DC, US
Abstract
A vast literature has accumulated since crop varieties with transgenic resistance to
insects and herbicide tolerance were released to farmers in 1996 and 1997. A
comparatively minor segment of this literature consists of studies conducted by
agricultural economists to measure the farm-level impact of transgenic crop varieties, the
size and distribution of the economic benefits from adopting them, consumer attitudes
toward GE products, and implications for international trade. This paper focuses only on
the applied economics literature about the impact of transgenic crop varieties in nonindustrialized
agricultural systems, with an emphasis on methods. A number of studies
have surveyed the findings for both industrialized and non-industrialized agriculture, at
various points in time, but surveys of methods are less frequent and have typically
examined only one overall question or approach. Clearly, the methods used in research
influence the findings that are presented and what they mean. Understanding the methods
therefore enhances understanding of the findings. Four categories of impact analysis are
considered: farmers, consumers, industry and trade. In part due to methodological
limitations and the relatively brief time frame of most analyses, results are promising, but
the balance sheet is mixed. Thus, findings of current case studies should not be
generalized to other locations, crops, and traits. The aim of this review is to progress
toward the defining a “best practices” methodology for national researchers who seek to
produce relevant information about emerging crop biotechnologies for national
policymakers.
Description
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Working Paper
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Keywords
GENETIC ENGINEERING, GENETICALLY ENGINEERED CROPS, BIOTECHNOLOGY, TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION, DEVELOPING ECONOMIES, ECONOMIC METHODS, ECONOMIC IMPACT, ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS, GLOBAL