I. Biotechnologies in Food and Agriculture: FAO’s role
II. FAO Statement on Biotechnology
III. Box 5. Some references on forestry and biotechnologies
Report on the 116th Session of the FAO Council. Rome 14-29 June 1999
§ 25 [In particular,] the Council appreciated the need for FAO to have a coherent programme on agricultural biotechnology to assist Member Nations in obtaining the full benefits of new developments while minimizing risks, and stressed FAO’s role as a forum for the discussion of issues and for standard-setting, and as an ‘honest broker’ of quality science based information, through mechanisms such as the International Plant Protection Commission (IPPC) and Codex Alimentarius, was underscored in general, and in relation to biotechnology in particular.
Biotechnology provides a powerful tool for the sustainable development of agriculture, fisheries and forestry, as well as the food industry. When appropriately integrated with other technologies for the production of food, other agricultural products and services, biotechnology offers significant potential for assisting in meeting the needs of an expanding and increasingly urbanised population in the next millennium.
There is a wide array of “biotechnologies” with different techniques and applications. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) defines biotechnology as, “any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives there of, to make or modify products or processes for specific use”. Interpreted in this broad sense, the definition covers many of the tools and techniques that are common place in agriculture and food production. Interpreted in a narrow sense, to consider only the new DNA techniques, molecular biology and reproductive technological applications, the definition covers a range of different technologies such as gene manipulation and gene transfer, DNA typing and cloning of plants and animals.
While there is little controversy about many aspects of biotechnology and its application, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have become the target of a very intensive and at times emotionally charged debate. FAO recognises that genetic engineering has potential for helping to increase production and productivity in agriculture. It could lead to higher yields on marginal lands in countries that today cannot grow enough food to feed their people. Already there are examples of genetic engineering helping to reduce the transmission of human and animal diseases through new vaccines. Rice has been genetically engineered to contain pro-vitamin A (Beta carotene) and iron, having potential to improve the health of many low-income communities.
Other biotechnological methods have led to organisms that improve food quality and consistency and other organisms which clean up oil spills and heavy metals in fragile eco-systems. Tissue culture has produced plants that are increasing crop yields by providing farmers with healthier planting material. Marker assisted selection and DNA fingerprinting allow a faster and much more targeted development of improved genotypes for all living species. They also provide new research methods assisting in the conservation and characterization of biodiversity. The new techniques will enable scientists to recognise and target quantitative trait loci and thus increase the efficiency of breeding for some traditionally intractable agronomic problems such as drought resistance and improved root systems.
However, FAO is also aware of the concern about potential risks posed by some aspects of biotechnology. These risks fall into two basic categories: the effects on human and animal health, and the environmental consequences. Caution must be exercised in order to reduce the risk of transferring toxins from one life form to another, of creating new toxins or of transferring allergenic compounds from one species to another, that could result in unexpected allergic reactions. Risks to the environment include, among other things, the possibility of out-crossing, leading, for example, to the development of more aggressive weeds or wild relatives with increased resistance to diseases or environmental stresses, upsetting ecosystem balance. There is also the potential loss of biodiversity, for example, resulting from the displacement of traditional cultivars by a small number of genetically modified cultivars.
FAO supports a science-based evaluation system that would objectively determine the benefits and risks of each individual GMO. This calls for a cautious case by case approach to address legitimate concerns for the biosafety of each product or process prior to its release. This includes evaluating the possible effects on biodiversity and the environment and food safety, and assessing the extent to which the benefits of the product or process outweigh its risks. The evaluation process should take into consideration experience gained by national regulatory authorities in clearing such products. Careful monitoring of the post-release effects caused by these products and processes is also essential to ensure their continued safety to human being, animals and the environment.
Current investment in biotechnological research tends to be concentrated in the private sector and oriented towards agriculture in higher-income countries where the purchasing power exists for its products. In view of the potential which biotechnologies offer for helping to increase food supply and contributing to overcoming food insecurity and vulnerability, FAO considers that efforts should be made to ensure that developing countries in general and resource-poor farmers in particular benefit more from biotechnological research, while continuing to have access to a diversity of sources of genetic material. FAO proposes that this need be addressed through increased public funding and dialogue between the public and private sectors.
FAO continues to assist its Member countries, particularly developing countries, to reap the benefits derived from the application of biotechnologies in agriculture, forestry and fisheries, for example through network on plant biotechnology for the Latin America and the Caribbean (REDBIO) involving 33 countries. The Organization also assists developing countries to participate more effectively and equitably in international commodities and food trade. FAO provides technical information and assistance, as well as socio-economic and environmental analyses, on major global issues related to new technological developments. Whenever the need arises, FAO acts as an “honest-broker” by providing a forum for discussion.
For example, together with WHO, the Organization provides the Secretariat to the Codex Alimentarius Commission which has just established an ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnologies, in which government-designated experts will develop standards, guidelines or recommendations, as appropriate, for foods derived from biotechnologies or traits introduced into foods by biotechnological methods. The Codex Alimentarius Commission is also considering the labelling of foods derived from biotechnologies to allow the consumer to make informed choice.
Another example is the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, a permanent intergovernmental forum, where countries are developing a Code of Conduct on Biotechnology aiming to maximize the possible benefits of modern biotechnologies, and minimize the possible risks. The Code will be based on scientific considerations and will take into account the environmental, socio-economic and ethical implications of biotechnology. As in applications in medicine, these ethical aspects warrant responsible consideration. Therefore the Organization is working towards the establishment of an international expert committee on ethics in food and agriculture. The Organization is constantly striving to determine the potential benefits and risks associated with the application of modern technologies to increase plant and animal productivity and production. However, the responsibility for formulating policies towards these technologies rests with the governments of the Member Countries of FAO.
Rome, 2 December 1999
(See also general list of references, at the end of main text of the paper)
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