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About the Book CROPS genetically modified to contain toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis have been touted as having inbuilt capacity to ward off pests. These so-called Bt crops are now increasingly being promoted in developing countries despite growing concerns surrounding their efficacy and suitability. Development of resistance among target pests to the Bt toxins is reported to be accelerating, while the plants are also coming under attack from non-target secondary pests. On top of this, the cultivation of Bt crops often requires additional agricultural inputs and practices, which throws into doubt its viability for resource-poor farmers in the Global South. This paper flags the potential pitfalls associated with the push by Bt crop backers to make market inroads into developing countries for a technology of questionable effectiveness and durability. Dr Eva Sirinathsinghji has a Ph.D. in Neurogenetics and is a biosafety researcher with a background in biomedical sciences. She works with civil society on the risks of genetic engineering technologies, including new genetic engineering technologies. She has served as a member of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Risk Assessment and Risk Management established under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. CONTENTS 1 Introduction 2 Bt Crop Cultivation: State of Play 3 Efficacy Problems Are Undermining Bt Durability 4 Bt Crops: An Assault on Smallholder Farming Systems? 5 Concluding Remarks References
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