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ICSU
Trends in Food Science & Technology 14 (2003) 170
9. Socioeconomic considerations relevant to the sustainable development, use and control of genetically modified foods by Y. Otsuka
294
10. Societal issues and public attitudes towards genetically modified foods by L. Frewer
319
11. Overall conclusions
333
CONTRIBUTORS TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE
335
INTERESTS OF CONTRIBUTORS RELATED TO GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS
336
Cover photograph: Scientists at the ARS/University of California Plant Gene Expression Center are the first in the world to report success in genetically engineering barley. Photo by Jack Dykinga, ARS/USDA
ICSU Carthage Smith Deputy Executive Director ICSU, 51 blvd. de Montmorency, Paris 75016, France
The International Council for Science (ICSU) is a non-governmental organization, whose mission is to strengthen international science for the benefit of society. The ICSU membership includes both national science academies (101 members) and international science unions (27 members). The combined expertise from these two groups enables ICSU to address major international, interdisciplinary issues beyond the scope of individual organizations. The topic of this special issue—Genetically Modified Foods—is one such issue. It is an issue where science and society must come together, both internationally and at a local level, and agree a way forward. It is also an area where there are strongly conflicting views and opinions, where scientific evidence and individual morals and beliefs are often opposed and where the science itself is sometimes uncertain and open to selective interpretation. However, food security is one of the major challenges facing humanity and, as the new genetic technologies have potential to ameliorate the current situation, whereby some 850 million people lack access to sufficient nutritious food at affordable prices, the scientific community has a duty to develop and explain its research in this area.
0924-2244/03/$ - see front matter # 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0924-2244(03)00059-1
It is with this in mind that ICSU agreed to fund the production of this special issue when it received a grant application from several of its member unions and interdisciplinary scientific committees in 2000. This project complements other work being carried out under the aegis of ICSU’s Advisory Committee on Genetic Experimentation and Biotechnology (ACOGEB), including a summary report on Biotechnology and Sustainable Development, which has been prepared for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in August/September 2002. ACOGEB has also commissioned a meta-analysis of the key findings in recent reviews of genetically modified foods and crops that have been conducted by various national, international and private agencies within the past three years; the results of this will be available at www.icsu.org in May 2003. The combined aim of these three activities is to describe clearly and objectively the key issues relating to genetically modified foods and agriculture from a scientific perspective. They should then provide a solid basis on which to engage in constructive dialogue and to develop responsibly the international research agenda in this area.
9. Socioeconomic considerations relevant to the sustainable development, use and control of genetically modified foods by Y. Otsuka
294
10. Societal issues and public attitudes towards genetically modified foods by L. Frewer
319
11. Overall conclusions
333
CONTRIBUTORS TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE
335
INTERESTS OF CONTRIBUTORS RELATED TO GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS
336
Cover photograph: Scientists at the ARS/University of California Plant Gene Expression Center are the first in the world to report success in genetically engineering barley. Photo by Jack Dykinga, ARS/USDA
ICSU Carthage Smith Deputy Executive Director ICSU, 51 blvd. de Montmorency, Paris 75016, France
The International Council for Science (ICSU) is a non-governmental organization, whose mission is to strengthen international science for the benefit of society. The ICSU membership includes both national science academies (101 members) and international science unions (27 members). The combined expertise from these two groups enables ICSU to address major international, interdisciplinary issues beyond the scope of individual organizations. The topic of this special issue—Genetically Modified Foods—is one such issue. It is an issue where science and society must come together, both internationally and at a local level, and agree a way forward. It is also an area where there are strongly conflicting views and opinions, where scientific evidence and individual morals and beliefs are often opposed and where the science itself is sometimes uncertain and open to selective interpretation. However, food security is one of the major challenges facing humanity and, as the new genetic technologies have potential to ameliorate the current situation, whereby some 850 million people lack access to sufficient nutritious food at affordable prices, the scientific community has a duty to develop and explain its research in this area.
0924-2244/03/$ - see front matter # 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0924-2244(03)00059-1
It is with this in mind that ICSU agreed to fund the production of this special issue when it received a grant application from several of its member unions and interdisciplinary scientific committees in 2000. This project complements other work being carried out under the aegis of ICSU’s Advisory Committee on Genetic Experimentation and Biotechnology (ACOGEB), including a summary report on Biotechnology and Sustainable Development, which has been prepared for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in August/September 2002. ACOGEB has also commissioned a meta-analysis of the key findings in recent reviews of genetically modified foods and crops that have been conducted by various national, international and private agencies within the past three years; the results of this will be available at www.icsu.org in May 2003. The combined aim of these three activities is to describe clearly and objectively the key issues relating to genetically modified foods and agriculture from a scientific perspective. They should then provide a solid basis on which to engage in constructive dialogue and to develop responsibly the international research agenda in this area.