TWN Biotechnology & Biosafety Series 8 Potential Socio-Economic, Cultural and Ethical Impacts of GMOs: Prospects for Socio-Economic Impact Assessment By Elenita C Daño Publisher: TWN (ISBN: 978-983-2729-23-5) Year: 2007   No. of pages: 32

ABOUT THE BOOK

Socio-economic, cultural and ethical considerations related to the use and release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are important aspects but have received less attention than the risks to the environment, health and biodiversity. This paper identifies some of the potential socio-economic impacts of GMOs and argues that they have to be taken into account as they have serious and far-reaching consequences.

The author calls for the use of socio-economic impact assessment as a tool to guide decisions on research, development, use and release of GMOs, before and during their introduction. This is a participatory and interdisciplinary assessment tool which maps local knowledge in a particular societal context where new technology will be introduced, to help decision-makers weigh the potential benefits and risks of GMOs to different socio-economic spheres. In order to be an effective tool for decision-making, socio-economic impact assessment should be integrated into biosafety policies and processes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elenita C Daño is an independent researcher based in Davao City, Philippines who has extensive experience in development work, especially on issues affecting community-based conservation and development of plant genetic resources in South-East Asia. She is currently employed as an Associate of Third World Network on a part-time basis, working mainly on sustainable agriculture, biodiversity and biosafety issues.

Contents

1.      INTRODUCTION                                                                 

2.            TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY                                              

3.      SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS ‘DEFINED’

4.      IMPORTANCE OF ASSESSING SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF GMOs

         4.1 Socio-Economic Considerations in Relation to GMOs: Legal Recognition

         4.2 Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA)

5.      SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS: WHAT TO ASSESS?

         5.1 Economic Considerations

         5.2 Social Considerations

6.            INSTITUTIONALISING THE SEIA

7.      SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT: GUIDING PRINCIPLES

REFERENCES

PRICE
US$8.00 for First World countries
US$6.00 for Third World countries
RM8.00 for Malaysia
Prices are inclusive of postage costs by airmail.

How to Order the Book

Visit our TWN Online Bookshop or contact Third World Network at 131 Jalan Macalister, 10400 Penang, Malaysia.

Tel: 604-2266159

Fax: 604-2264505

Email for further information.