Genetically Modified Seeds, Biodiversity and Food Security: A Critical Assessment of the Impact of Agricultural Biotechnologies on Communities in Developing Countries

Canada is, indirectly and directly, supporting and promoting agricultural biotechnology in developing countries through trade expansion, research funding and other activities including via the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). These activities present on-going challenges to communities in developing countries who have yet to comprehensively assess the impacts of agricultural biotechnology, particularly genetically modified seeds. Those most likely to be affected – small-scale farmers and indigenous peoples – are yet to be fully engaged in decision-making over the research and application of these new technologies.