A Danger to the World’s Food: Genetic Engineering and the Economic Interests of the Life-Science Industry

Abstract

Based on a few individual cases, proponents of biotechnology claim that agricultural biotechnology innovations can provide specific technical solutions to the world’s food insecurity problems. In this paper, however, it is argued that genetic engineering in general, and life-science companies in particular, have a much more far-reaching and systematic influence on the global food supply than can be seen from such isolated cases. It is hypothesized that genetic engineering, capitalization and monopolization go hand in hand. As a result, existing infrastructures and forms of innovation and knowledge stand to be completely transformed and in part destroyed. In addition to the risks of modern biotechnology for consumers and the environment, the world’s food would also become increasingly dependent on the economic goals of a small handful of corporations.