GMOs for Development

Abstract: Given the increasing world population, prices and greenhouse gas emissions, there is a need to innovate agriculture in order to accelerate crop productivity sustainably. These issues are compounded in developing countries, which often face severe droughts, famine, and have limited access to drinking water. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are the proposed solution to these concerns, with an increasing number of countries reaping the benefits of the new technology. GMOs are a hotly debated topic in the European Union (EU), but for very different reasons. Namely, a negative public perception on GMO safety and ethics has led to a restrictive and precautionary approach to GMO regulation. EU’s GMO policy has shown an international impact, mainly in the poorest countries, many of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. To bring a fresh perspective to EU’s GMO debate, this thesis will analyse the coherence of EU’s GMO policy with its international development objectives, outlined in EU’s framework Policy Coherence for Development. Linking GMO’s to the Millennium Development Goals, data suggests that they can have a positive effect, e.g. on reducing hunger and poverty. Conversely, EU’s GMO policy can act as a deterrent to developing country GMO acceptance, which would suggest that it is not coherent with its international development objectives. Key words: European Union, Genetically Modified Organisms, Policy Coherence for Development, Millennium Development Goals, sub-Saharan Africa.