Socio-economic Considerations for Genetically Modified Organisms XUE Dayuan Nanjing Institute of Envir. Sci., SEPA & Central University for Nationalities,

Socio-economic Socio-economic Considerations for Considerations for

Genetically Modified Genetically Modified

OrganismsOrganisms XUE DayuanXUE Dayuan

Nanjing Institute of Envir. Sci., SEPNanjing Institute of Envir. Sci., SEPA & Central University for NationaliA & Central University for Nationali

ties, Beijing ties, Beijing

Xishuanbenna, Dec 3, 2007Xishuanbenna, Dec 3, 2007

TopicsTopics Socio-economic issues in CartageSocio-economic issues in Cartage

na Protocol on Biosafetyna Protocol on Biosafety Socio-economic problems for GUSocio-economic problems for GU

RTsRTs Consumers’ attitudes to GMOs: a Consumers’ attitudes to GMOs: a

survey in Beijingsurvey in Beijing Farmers’ responses to Bt cotton: Farmers’ responses to Bt cotton:

a field survey in 5 provinces in Chia field survey in 5 provinces in Chinana

1. Socio-economic issues in Ca1. Socio-economic issues in Cartagena Protocolrtagena Protocol

Article 26: Socio-economic considerationsArticle 26: Socio-economic considerations Article 26Article 26 establishes the right of Parties to take establishes the right of Parties to take

into account socio-economic considerations into account socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified arising from the impact of living modified organisms in reaching a decision on whether to organisms in reaching a decision on whether to import these organisms, especially with regard import these organisms, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. However, when Parties and local communities. However, when Parties are taking into account such considerations, are taking into account such considerations, they are at the same time required to ensure they are at the same time required to ensure that the decision is consistent with their other that the decision is consistent with their other international obligations. international obligations.


Article 26: Socio-economic considerationsArticle 26: Socio-economic considerations Article 26Article 26 Paragraph 2 of Article 26 calls upon Paragraph 2 of Article 26 calls upon

Parties to cooperate on research and informatiParties to cooperate on research and information exchange on socio-economic impacts of LMon exchange on socio-economic impacts of LMOs, especially on indigenous and local commuOs, especially on indigenous and local communities. In accordance with the medium term prnities. In accordance with the medium term programme of work adopted by the first meeting ogramme of work adopted by the first meeting of the COP-MOP (decision BS-I/12). COP-MOP of the COP-MOP (decision BS-I/12). COP-MOP 2 requested Parties and other Governments to 2 requested Parties and other Governments to provide their views and case studies concerninprovide their views and case studies concerning socio-economic impacts of LMOs. It also invig socio-economic impacts of LMOs. It also invited Parties and other Governments to share infted Parties and other Governments to share information and experiences on socio-economic iormation and experiences on socio-economic impacts of LMOs through the BCH. mpacts of LMOs through the BCH.


Article 26: Socio-economic considerationsArticle 26: Socio-economic considerations Decision BS-II/12Decision BS-II/12 1. 1. InvitesInvites Parties and other Governments to continue to Parties and other Governments to continue to coopecoope

rate within relevant processes under other organizations and rate within relevant processes under other organizations and arrangementsarrangements on socio-economic considerations: on socio-economic considerations: cooperation cooperation on research and information exchangeon research and information exchange (UNEP/CBD/BS/COP-M (UNEP/CBD/BS/COP-MOP/2/12), which deal with socio-economic impacts of living mOP/2/12), which deal with socio-economic impacts of living modified organisms;odified organisms;

2. 2. UrgesUrges Parties, other Governments and relevant organization Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to s to provide more emphasis to researchprovide more emphasis to research on socio-economic im on socio-economic impacts of living modified organisms (LMOs) and to allocate resopacts of living modified organisms (LMOs) and to allocate resources for that purpose;urces for that purpose;

3. 3. InvitesInvites Parties, other Governments and organizations with Parties, other Governments and organizations with rresearch activities related to socio-economic impacts of LMOsesearch activities related to socio-economic impacts of LMOs a arising from the impacts of these organisms on the conservatiorising from the impacts of these organisms on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, to n and sustainable use of biological diversity, to share informatshare informationion with other with other on their research methods and results, both poson their research methods and results, both positive and negative;itive and negative;

1. Socio-economic issues in 1. Socio-economic issues in Cartagena ProtocolCartagena Protocol

Article 26: Socio-economic considerationsArticle 26: Socio-economic considerations Decision BS-II/12Decision BS-II/12 4. 4. FurtherFurther invites invites Parties and other Governments to shaParties and other Governments to sha

re, through the Biosafety Clearing-House, their informre, through the Biosafety Clearing-House, their information and experiences in taking into account socio-econation and experiences in taking into account socio-economic impacts omic impacts including experiences in implementing tincluding experiences in implementing the Akwé:Kon Voluntary Guidelines;he Akwé:Kon Voluntary Guidelines;

5. 5. RequestsRequests Parties, other Governments and relevant in Parties, other Governments and relevant international organizations to provide to the Executive Seternational organizations to provide to the Executive Secretary their views and case-studies, where available, ccretary their views and case-studies, where available, concerning socio-economic impacts of living modified ooncerning socio-economic impacts of living modified organisms;rganisms;


Article 23: Public awareness and participArticle 23: Public awareness and participationation

Article 23Article 23 requires to promote and facilitate public awar requires to promote and facilitate public awareness and education, including access to information, reness and education, including access to information, regarding the safe transfer, handling and use of living megarding the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs). It also requires Parties to coodified organisms (LMOs). It also requires Parties to consult the public in the decision-making process, to maknsult the public in the decision-making process, to make public the final decision taken and to inform public ae public the final decision taken and to inform public about the means of access to the Biosafety Clearing-Housbout the means of access to the Biosafety Clearing-House. e.

Public awareness, education and participation are fundPublic awareness, education and participation are fundamental elements for the effective implementation of tamental elements for the effective implementation of the Protocol. It is important for the public to know and uhe Protocol. It is important for the public to know and understand the issues and processes related to LMOs and nderstand the issues and processes related to LMOs and to have access to relevant information in order to make to have access to relevant information in order to make informed choices and actions, and to be able to participinformed choices and actions, and to be able to participate effectively in the decision-making processes. ate effectively in the decision-making processes.


Article 23: Public awareness and particiArticle 23: Public awareness and participationpation

COP-MOP in its COP-MOP in its decision BS-I/12decision BS-I/12 agreed to consider, a agreed to consider, at its second meeting, “t its second meeting, “options for cooperationoptions for cooperation betwe between Parties, other States and relevant international boen Parties, other States and relevant international bodies dies on the promotion and facilitation of public awaron the promotion and facilitation of public awareness, education and participationeness, education and participation concerning the sa concerning the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organfe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms”. isms”.

In its In its decision BS-II/13decision BS-II/13, COP-MOP encouraged countr, COP-MOP encouraged countries to develop and implement national programmes, ies to develop and implement national programmes, to make effective use of the media and to leverage opto make effective use of the media and to leverage opportunities for cooperation in the promotion of publiportunities for cooperation in the promotion of public awareness, education and participation concerning c awareness, education and participation concerning the safe transfer, handling and use of LMOs. the safe transfer, handling and use of LMOs.


Article 23: Public awareness and participationArticle 23: Public awareness and participation Decision BS-II/13Decision BS-II/13 EmphasizingEmphasizing the importance of public the importance of public

awareness, education and participation in awareness, education and participation in promoting transparency, public confidence promoting transparency, public confidence and broad-based support for the effective and broad-based support for the effective implementation of the Protocol,implementation of the Protocol,

UnderliningUnderlining the importance of making the the importance of making the information concerning the safe transfer, information concerning the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms handling and use of living modified organisms available to different stakeholdersavailable to different stakeholders


Article 23: Public awareness and participationArticle 23: Public awareness and participation Decision BS-II/13Decision BS-II/13 9. 9. EncouragesEncourages Parties, other States and relevant intern Parties, other States and relevant intern

ational bodies to make effective use of the tools and mational bodies to make effective use of the tools and mechanisms established under the Global Initiative on Cechanisms established under the Global Initiative on Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPommunication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) under the CBD A) under the CBD

11. 11. InvitesInvites Parties, other States and concerned relevant Parties, other States and concerned relevant international bodies to explore and maximize opportuinternational bodies to explore and maximize opportunities for cooperation in the promotion of public awarenities for cooperation in the promotion of public awareness, education and participation through the framewoness, education and participation through the frameworks provided rks provided by related national and international instrby related national and international instruments, in particular the Aarhus Conventionuments, in particular the Aarhus Convention on Access on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-makinto Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters.g and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters.


Article 18: Handling, Transport, Packaging and IdentiArticle 18: Handling, Transport, Packaging and Identificationfication

Paragraph 2Paragraph 2 sets out obligations on each Party to take sets out obligations on each Party to take measures that require the identification of LMOs in acmeasures that require the identification of LMOs in accompanying documentation. These identification mecompanying documentation. These identification measures vary depending on the intended use of the LMasures vary depending on the intended use of the LMOs. Accordingly there are different requirements for Os. Accordingly there are different requirements for LMOs intended for LMOs intended for

- - LMO-FFPs, direct use as food or feed or for procesLMO-FFPs, direct use as food or feed or for processing (subparagraph (a),sing (subparagraph (a),

- LMOs destined for contained use (subparagraph - LMOs destined for contained use (subparagraph (b), (b),

- LMOs for intentional introduction into the environ- LMOs for intentional introduction into the environment (subparagraph (c). ment (subparagraph (c).


Article 18: Handling, Transport, Packaging and IdentificArticle 18: Handling, Transport, Packaging and Identification ation

The COP-MOP 1 decided to establish an The COP-MOP 1 decided to establish an open-ended technical expert groupopen-ended technical expert group that would develop p that would develop proposals on the details of the identification requirements roposals on the details of the identification requirements for LMO-FFPs under paragraph 2(a) of Article 18, called ffor LMO-FFPs under paragraph 2(a) of Article 18, called for the use of a commercial invoice or other existing docuor the use of a commercial invoice or other existing document for incorporating the information provided for by tment for incorporating the information provided for by the Protocol to accompany transboundary LMO shipmenthe Protocol to accompany transboundary LMO shipments; invited Parties to use Unique Identifiers for Transgenis; invited Parties to use Unique Identifiers for Transgenic Plants adopted by the Organization for Economic Coopc Plants adopted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); and requested the Seceration and Development (OECD); and requested the Secretariat to maintain a register of unique identification coretariat to maintain a register of unique identification codes in the BCH. des in the BCH.


Article 18: Handling, Transport, Packaging Article 18: Handling, Transport, Packaging and Identificationand Identification

At its third meeting, COP-MOP made an At its third meeting, COP-MOP made an important breakthrough regarding the important breakthrough regarding the contentious issue of detailed requirements contentious issue of detailed requirements for documentation accompanying shipments for documentation accompanying shipments of living modified organisms intended for of living modified organisms intended for direct use as food or feed, or for processing, direct use as food or feed, or for processing, which had eluded Governments during the which had eluded Governments during the last segment of the negotiations of the last segment of the negotiations of the Protocol and since its adoption. Protocol and since its adoption.


Article 27: Liability and Redress Article 27: Liability and Redress The issue of liability and redress for damagThe issue of liability and redress for damag

e resulting from the transboundary moveme resulting from the transboundary movements of LMOs was one of the themes on the ents of LMOs was one of the themes on the agenda during the negotiation of the Biosafagenda during the negotiation of the Biosafety Protocol. The negotiators were, howeveety Protocol. The negotiators were, however, unable to reach any consensus regarding r, unable to reach any consensus regarding the details of a liability regime under the Prthe details of a liability regime under the Protocol. otocol.

Accordingly, COP-MOP-1 established an OpAccordingly, COP-MOP-1 established an Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group of Legal aen-ended Ad Hoc Working Group of Legal and Technical Experts on Liability and Redrend Technical Experts on Liability and Redress to fulfil the mandate under Article 27. ss to fulfil the mandate under Article 27.


Article 27: Liability and RedressArticle 27: Liability and Redress The The

first meeting of the Ad Hoc Group on Liability and Rfirst meeting of the Ad Hoc Group on Liability and Redressedress took place from 25 to 27 May 2005 in Montreal, took place from 25 to 27 May 2005 in Montreal, Canada Canada

The The second meeting of the Working Group on Liability asecond meeting of the Working Group on Liability and Redressnd Redress was held from 20-24 February 2006 in Montreal, was held from 20-24 February 2006 in Montreal, Canada. At this meeting, the Working Group Canada. At this meeting, the Working Group developed an indicative list of criteria for the developed an indicative list of criteria for the assessment of the effectiveness of any rules and assessment of the effectiveness of any rules and procedures referred to in Article 27 procedures referred to in Article 27

The Working Group developed different options for The Working Group developed different options for operational text on scope, damage and causation. operational text on scope, damage and causation. The outcome of these deliberations is contained in The outcome of these deliberations is contained in annex to document annex to document UNEP/CBD/BS/COP-MOP/3/10UNEP/CBD/BS/COP-MOP/3/10


Article 27: Liability and RedressArticle 27: Liability and Redress The The third meeting third meeting considered a blueprint for considered a blueprint for

a COP-MOP decision on international rules aa COP-MOP decision on international rules and procedures in the field of liability and rednd procedures in the field of liability and redress for damage resulting from transboundaress for damage resulting from transboundary movements of living modified organisms. ry movements of living modified organisms.

The Working Group discussed a synthesis of The Working Group discussed a synthesis of proposed operational texts on approaches, oproposed operational texts on approaches, options and issues identified pertaining to liaptions and issues identified pertaining to liability and redress in the context of Art. 27 of bility and redress in the context of Art. 27 of the Biosafety Protocol. the Biosafety Protocol.


Article 27: Liability and RedressArticle 27: Liability and Redress At the At the fourth meeting fourth meeting the Working Group streamlinthe Working Group streamlin

ed the operational texts on approaches and options ed the operational texts on approaches and options identified pertaining to liability and redress in the cidentified pertaining to liability and redress in the context of Article 27 of the Biosafety Protocol. The blontext of Article 27 of the Biosafety Protocol. The blueprint was also revised to reflect the changes agreueprint was also revised to reflect the changes agreed by the Working Group to the form and contentsed by the Working Group to the form and contents

The Working Group has requested the Co-Chairs to The Working Group has requested the Co-Chairs to do further streamlining on certain sections of the wdo further streamlining on certain sections of the working document, and to produce a revised working orking document, and to produce a revised working draft for consideration by the Working Group at its draft for consideration by the Working Group at its fifth meeting, which will be held in March 2007 in Cfifth meeting, which will be held in March 2007 in Columbia, before COP9-MOP4 in Bonn, May, 2007olumbia, before COP9-MOP4 in Bonn, May, 2007..

2. Socio-economic issues in 2. Socio-economic issues in the Convention on the Convention on

Biological DiversityBiological Diversity CBD Article 8(j): Gurts to traditional knowledgeCBD Article 8(j): Gurts to traditional knowledge ( GURTs - Genetic use restrict technologies )( GURTs - Genetic use restrict technologies ) Most developing countries and NGOs oppose GURTs, bMost developing countries and NGOs oppose GURTs, b

ecause it is not in accordance to CBD/ITPGRFA and it is ecause it is not in accordance to CBD/ITPGRFA and it is harmful to small farmers for their rights to retain seedharmful to small farmers for their rights to retain seeds. As it is not helpful to food security, they call for prohs. As it is not helpful to food security, they call for prohibiting the technologies by country’s legislation. ibiting the technologies by country’s legislation.

But, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Argentina suppoBut, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Argentina support to further research for developing and using GURTsrt to further research for developing and using GURTs

GURTs may produce socio-economic problems for tradGURTs may produce socio-economic problems for traditional knowledge of indigenous and local communitieitional knowledge of indigenous and local communities.s.

2. Socio-economic issues in 2. Socio-economic issues in the Convention on the Convention on

Biological DiversityBiological Diversity Article 8(j): Gurts to traditional knowledgeArticle 8(j): Gurts to traditional knowledge 8(j)-5 Ad Hoc Expert Group proposed to COP-88(j)-5 Ad Hoc Expert Group proposed to COP-8 To request Parties, other countries and stakehTo request Parties, other countries and stakeh

olders to respect the farmers’ rights to use, reolders to respect the farmers’ rights to use, retain and exchange seeds, as well as the rights ttain and exchange seeds, as well as the rights to use the breeding materials.o use the breeding materials.

To enhance researches on impacts of GURTs oTo enhance researches on impacts of GURTs on socio-economy, including risk assessment can socio-economy, including risk assessment case by case. se by case.

To request international institutions and organTo request international institutions and organizations to study potential patent policies and pizations to study potential patent policies and patent applications for GURTs in future, as well atent applications for GURTs in future, as well as the impacts of GURTs on ethic and inspirit.as the impacts of GURTs on ethic and inspirit.

3. Consumers’ attitudes to G3. Consumers’ attitudes to GMOs: MOs:

An interview survey in BeijingAn interview survey in Beijing We did a questionnaire surveys to We did a questionnaire surveys to

1000 consumers from 12 supermar1000 consumers from 12 supermarkets in Beijing, China, late 2004, in kets in Beijing, China, late 2004, in order to reveal consumers’ attituorder to reveal consumers’ attitudes on genetically modified organides on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and GM foods. sms (GMOs) and GM foods.

Some results are as below:Some results are as below:


An interview survey in BeijingAn interview survey in Beijing1. Consumers’ GMOs acquaintance 1. Consumers’ GMOs acquaintance In general, most respondents have little knoIn general, most respondents have little kno

wledge for GMOs and GM products in the mwledge for GMOs and GM products in the markets. The investigated results show that arkets. The investigated results show that 49.49.4% respondents know little and 15.5% know 4% respondents know little and 15.5% know nothing about GMOs and GM products, indicnothing about GMOs and GM products, indicating totally 64.9% respondents have no acqating totally 64.9% respondents have no acquaintance to GMOsuaintance to GMOs. While the other 32.8% r. While the other 32.8% respondents have generally acquaintance anespondents have generally acquaintance and just 2.3% are well-known. d just 2.3% are well-known.


An interview survey in BeijingAn interview survey in Beijing2. Consumers’ acquaintance to GMOs labeling.2. Consumers’ acquaintance to GMOs labeling. During the questionnaire interviewing, During the questionnaire interviewing, 45.3% 45.3%

of the respondents didn’t know that the GMof the respondents didn’t know that the GMOs labeling systemOs labeling system though it had been implem though it had been implemented in China and ented in China and other 42.6% respondents cother 42.6% respondents couldn’t identify the GMOs labelsouldn’t identify the GMOs labels through the through they knew that the labeling system had been existy knew that the labeling system had been existed. Furthermore, data indicates that higher eded. Furthermore, data indicates that higher educated respondents have higher acquaintance ucated respondents have higher acquaintance and identification ability. and identification ability.


An interview survey in BeijingAn interview survey in Beijing3. Consumers’ attitudes to GMOs labeling3. Consumers’ attitudes to GMOs labeling. . Totally 96.9% of the respondents had demands Totally 96.9% of the respondents had demands

of GMOs labeling, of which 48.1% had demands of GMOs labeling, of which 48.1% had demands for a highlighted labeling, 25.9% requested to ufor a highlighted labeling, 25.9% requested to use a double labeling system for both GMOs and se a double labeling system for both GMOs and non-GMOs in order to give consumers’ sufficinon-GMOs in order to give consumers’ sufficient option rights, only 3.1% expressed that they ent option rights, only 3.1% expressed that they didn’t care for GMOs or non-GMOs. didn’t care for GMOs or non-GMOs.

Further analysis on the categorized informatioFurther analysis on the categorized information, we can find that higher educated people usun, we can find that higher educated people usually have more demands for highlighted or doually have more demands for highlighted or double labeling, while lower educated people have ble labeling, while lower educated people have less labeling demands. less labeling demands.


An interview survey in BeijingAn interview survey in Beijing4. Attitude and propensity to consume GMO products4. Attitude and propensity to consume GMO products 69% consumers trust traditional food, only 5.2% tr69% consumers trust traditional food, only 5.2% tr

ust GMO food and the rest accepts both. Furthermust GMO food and the rest accepts both. Furthermore, 55.7% respondents tends to consume traditionore, 55.7% respondents tends to consume traditional foods in their daily life, on the contrary, only 8.3al foods in their daily life, on the contrary, only 8.3% respondents choice GMOs food, the rest 36% hav% respondents choice GMOs food, the rest 36% have no ideas. e no ideas.

The data shows that the lower educated respondenThe data shows that the lower educated respondents are more trustworthy to traditional food than hits are more trustworthy to traditional food than higher educated people; Younger people express mogher educated people; Younger people express more careless than old people. It indicates that young re careless than old people. It indicates that young people and higher educated people are easy to accpeople and higher educated people are easy to accept new events while old people and lower educateept new events while old people and lower educated people are relatively conservatived people are relatively conservative


An interview survey in BeijingAn interview survey in Beijing5. Attitudes to GM technology 5. Attitudes to GM technology

developmentdevelopment Consumers’ attitudes are mild for the Consumers’ attitudes are mild for the

issue. Respondents who chose ‘actively issue. Respondents who chose ‘actively develop’ and ‘don’t actively develop’ develop’ and ‘don’t actively develop’ were both less, around 10% were both less, around 10% respectively, while totally more than respectively, while totally more than 80% of respondents chose 80% of respondents chose ‘appropriately develop’ (38.8%) or ‘appropriately develop’ (38.8%) or ‘develop the technology with caution in ‘develop the technology with caution in commercialization’(41.7%).commercialization’(41.7%).

3.3. Consumers’ attitudes to GConsumers’ attitudes to GMOs: MOs:

An interview survey in BeijiAn interview survey in Beijingng6. Attitude to foodstuff safety in the market of fut6. Attitude to foodstuff safety in the market of fut

ureure Almost half (51.3%) said ‘have no idea’ for GMAlmost half (51.3%) said ‘have no idea’ for GM

Os risks in foodstuff, 20.4% thought that the foodsOs risks in foodstuff, 20.4% thought that the foodstuff ‘will be a risk’ and another 28.3% respondetuff ‘will be a risk’ and another 28.3% responded ‘will not be a risk’. This implies that GM food d ‘will not be a risk’. This implies that GM food has an uncertainty for its risks on human health, has an uncertainty for its risks on human health, biodiversity and environment, and actually most biodiversity and environment, and actually most people are at a loss on how to deal with the GMO ipeople are at a loss on how to deal with the GMO issue. Through some people worry about the risks, ssue. Through some people worry about the risks, the majority believe government could regulate ththe majority believe government could regulate the foodstuff safety suitably. e foodstuff safety suitably.

4. Farmers’ responses to Bt 4. Farmers’ responses to Bt cotton : A field survey in 5 cotton : A field survey in 5

provincesprovinces In 2005, we did a field survey to intervieIn 2005, we did a field survey to intervie

w 1000 farmers for plantation of Bt cottow 1000 farmers for plantation of Bt cotton. The respondents were distributed in tn. The respondents were distributed in three representative regions for cotton plhree representative regions for cotton plantation, i.e. Jiangsu and Anhui provincantation, i.e. Jiangsu and Anhui provinces for Yangtze River valley; Shandong anes for Yangtze River valley; Shandong and Hebei Provinces for Yellow river valled Hebei Provinces for Yellow river valley and Xinjiang Autonomous Region. 200 y and Xinjiang Autonomous Region. 200 farmers each.farmers each.

4. Farmers’ responses to Bt 4. Farmers’ responses to Bt cotton : A field survey in 5 cotton : A field survey in 5

provincesprovinces Main findingsMain findings We found that farmers continue to use higher We found that farmers continue to use higher

levels of pesticide use than reported in levels of pesticide use than reported in previous studies, most likely to bring previous studies, most likely to bring secondary pests under control. secondary pests under control.

Another problem associated with the Another problem associated with the introduction of Bt cotton in China is the low introduction of Bt cotton in China is the low awareness and knowledge of genetic awareness and knowledge of genetic modification by farmers. modification by farmers.

The liberalization of the Chinese seed market The liberalization of the Chinese seed market had profound negative effects on farmers, as had profound negative effects on farmers, as many of them were confronted with counterfeit many of them were confronted with counterfeit seed resulting in yield losses. seed resulting in yield losses.

4.4. Farmers’ responses to Farmers’ responses to Bt cotton: : A survey in 5 Bt cotton: : A survey in 5

provincesprovincesCertaiCertainly nly agreeagree

ReluctaReluctant nt agree agree

DisagreDisagreee

UncertUncertainain

Bollworm drop Bollworm drop but secondary but secondary increaseincrease

522522 7373 241241 5050

Pesticides decrePesticides decrease so can save lase so can save laborabor

597597 143143 114114 3535

Health harm Health harm reduce as reduce as pesticides pesticides reducereduce

560560 9090 138138 9898

Total costs not decTotal costs not decrease as Bt seed exrease as Bt seed expensivepensive

517517 127127 172172 7070

Bt’s quality is low Bt’s quality is low than than conventional conventional cottoncotton

6363 6565 480480 278278

Bt’s yield is low Bt’s yield is low than than conventional conventional cottoncotton

199199 287287 337337 6363

4. Farmers’ responses to 4. Farmers’ responses to Bt cotton: : A survey in 5 Bt cotton: : A survey in 5

provincesprovinces Why the farmers choice to plant Bt Why the farmers choice to plant Bt

cottoncotton

41 / 5%

7 / 1%

23 / 3%

95 / 12%

628 / 79%

because othersdo so

less pesticide use

higher yields

saves labor

its pest-resistance


provincesprovinces Only 15% know transgenic cotton, Only 15% know transgenic cotton,

5.5% know Bt. Their information 5.5% know Bt. Their information sources are as below:sources are as below:

1 / 0%

10 / 1%

43 / 5%

108 / 11%

344 / 36%

63 / 7%

265 / 28%

113 / 12%

Other ways

Saw it myself on the street

Radio, TV and newspapers

PR by the seed company

Through agriculturalextension station

Through village cadres

Through neighbors planting it

Family & friends


provincesprovinces 96% know Bt cotton oil is edible, 96% know Bt cotton oil is edible,

79% eat the oil. Reasons for not 79% eat the oil. Reasons for not eating are as below:eating are as below:

93 / 30%

31 / 10%

98 / 31%

55 / 18%

36 / 12%吃菜油

不知道

有毒

不好吃

不健康


provincesprovinces What organization should be What organization should be

responsible for seed management, responsible for seed management, as seed market fraud problemas seed market fraud problem

管理种子市场的政府机构

不知道

村委会

乡镇农技站

乡镇政府

县种子公司

县政府

Su

m 选择的人数

500

400

300

200

100

0

148

96

171

427

4.4. Farmers’ responses to Farmers’ responses to Bt cotton: : A survey in 5 Bt cotton: : A survey in 5

provincesprovinces

种子市场最严重的问题

477 53.2 53.2 53.2

309 34.4 34.4 87.6

66 7.4 7.4 95.0

45 5.0 5.0 100.0

897 100.0 100.0

种子来源混乱，性能不了解假种子风险高价格混乱无售后服务Total

ValidFrequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent

Statistics

5. Conclusion5. Conclusion

Socio-economic impact is a key issue Socio-economic impact is a key issue in Protocol forumin Protocol forum

More data for positive impacts, but More data for positive impacts, but less data for negative impactsless data for negative impacts

Greater attention should be paid to Greater attention should be paid to researches on socio-economic impactsresearches on socio-economic impacts

The researches can not be limited to The researches can not be limited to GM crops, should extend to GM GM crops, should extend to GM animals, trees, fishes and animals, trees, fishes and pharmaceuticals pharmaceuticals

谢谢！谢谢！

Thanks !Thanks !

Documents

Socio-economic Considerations for Genetically Modified Organisms XUE Dayuan Nanjing Institute of Envir. Sci., SEPA & Central University for Nationalities,