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The contradictions of the biorevolution for the development of agriculture in the third world: Biotechnology and capitalist interest

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  • J. Silva

Abstract

All biotechnology-related promises are based upon its technological potential; yet, many of these promises assure the solution for chronic socio-economic problems in the Third World through a new technological revolution in agriculture. The forecasting is that such a revolution will start delivering its most profound impact early in the 21st century. However, 11 years before the year 2000, a critical analysis of its promises against its current trends indicates that the future use and impact of biotechnology in the Third World rely presently upon crucial contradictions. As a result of such contradictions—Social Goals vs. Private Gains, Social Problems vs. Technical Solutions, Agricultural vs. Industrial Revolution, Cooperation vs. Competition, and Control over Nature vs. Control Over People—there is a high likelihood that (1) traditional farming will become increasingly obsolete, (2) technological and economic dependence of developing on developed countries will persist and even increase, (3) food and fiber production will be increasingly dislocated from developing to developed countries and from farms to industries, (4) the market for specific tropical products will be destroyed and therefore entire economies may collapse, (5) hunger and poverty will persist and even increase, and (6) social unrest may increase worldwide. Copyright Kluwer Academic Publishers 1988

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  • J. Silva, 1988. "The contradictions of the biorevolution for the development of agriculture in the third world: Biotechnology and capitalist interest," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 5(3), pages 61-70, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:5:y:1988:i:3:p:61-70
    DOI: 10.1007/BF02217660
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Frederick H. Buttel & Randolph Barker, 1985. "Emerging Agricultural Technologies, Public Policy, and Implications for Third World Agriculture: The Case of Biotechnology," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 67(5), pages 1170-1175.
    2. Buttel, Frederick H & Kenney, Martin & Kloppenburg, Jack, Jr, 1985. "From Green Revolution to Biorevolution: Some Observations on the Changing Technological Bases of Economic Transformation in the Third World," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 34(1), pages 31-55, October.
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