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Agriculture & Environment: Agri-biotech

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Nongovernmental organisations

Displaying 1-17 of 17 links

Africa Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum

ABSF aims to create an enabling environment in which Africa can participate and benefit from biotechnology in a responsible and sustainable manner. The association — through the dissemination of information — aims to enhance an understanding and awareness of all aspects of biotechnology including bio-safety and intellectual property rights. The news and features section mostly contains short information and opinion pieces giving perspectives of scientists and policy-makers in Africa.

AgBioWorld

AgBioWorld brings information about technological advances in agriculture to the developing world. Members include scientists, physicians, professors and others who believe that recent developments in plant science — such as biotechnology — can and should be used to increase crop yields, grow more nutritious plants and reduce dependence on chemicals in order to alleviate hunger and help preserve the environment. AgBioWorld is used by many scientists, but is also relevant to teachers, journalists and the general public. The site is kept fairly up-to-date — comments and reports are usually added in response to significant events, and there is also a discussion group.

Biodiversity Action Thailand

Founded in 1995, BIOTHAI raises awareness of the links between biodiversity and local livelihoods among policymakers and the general public. BIOTHAI is now a member of the Thai National Biosafety Committee and Plant Varieties Protection Board and advises the government on national biodiversity policy. The organisation campaigns on issues surrounding biotechnology and genetically modified organisms in South-East Asia. Its website links to related news, articles, reports and public statements, from a variety of online sources.

BioWatch South Africa

BioWatch South Africa is a nongovernmental organisation based in Cape Town founded in 1997 to 'publicise, monitor and research issues of genetic engineering and promote biological diversity and sustainable livelihoods'. It publishes a monthly newsletter, occasional policy briefings and information booklets on genetically modified crops. A library of images, free to reproduce for educational purposes, is also available.

Doyle Foundation

The Doyle Foundation has been established in honour of Dr John J Doyle, formerly Deputy Director General of the International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases (now part of the International Livestock Research Institute) in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr Doyle died in 1999 at the age of 55, after an outstanding career in international agricultural research and veterinary medicine.

The purpose of the foundation is to advocate and provide support for the role of science in international development, in keeping with Dr Doyle's wide interests and beliefs that science should be directed at solving clearly defined problems.

The Doyle Foundation was officially launched at the University of Glasgow Veterinary School on 30 June 2000.

The Doyle Foundation provides a forum for analysis and advocacy of the role of science in development with special regard to livestock health and the safe applications of modern biotechnology.

Emphasis is given to identifying the research needed to reduce the constraints on production of livestock, especially in Africa, and targeted broadly to livestock health and production and related fields. The Foundation achieves its aims through support for fellowships, sharing information and knowledge and related activities.

East African Regional Programme and Research Network for Biotechnology, Biosafety and Biotechnology

BIO-EARN's mission is to build capacity in biotechnology in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and promote appropriate research and related policies. The programme aims to use biotechnology in a sustainable manner in order to help improve livelihoods, ensure food security, and safeguard the environment. The site does not appear to have been up-dated since 2001, but contains relevant background information on biotechnology, biosafety and biotechnology policy development.

Food Security Network

The Food Security Network is an independent, non-profit coalition of people throughout the world dedicated to participating in an open, informed and impactful dialogue addressing solutions to global food security concerns through sustainable agricultural practices. The website includes regular updates and news stories, which are often pro-biotechnology.

FoodFirst: The Institute for Food and Development Policy

FoodFirst opposes the use of genetic engineering in agriculture and food. It publishes briefings, position papers and opinion articles on genetically modified crop technology in relation to sustainable agriculture, hunger and poverty. Its website includes audio and video interviews with FoodFirst staff as well as photo galleries illustrating, among other topics, agriculture in developing countries.

Friends of the Earth International

FOEI disputes that genetically modified crops are safe and argues that genetic engineering is unsustainable. It claims to be the 'largest grassroots environmental network' in the world, with 1.5 million members. Its website on genetically modified organisms contains campaign materials and meeting reports on biosafety, hunger and food aid, contamination and corporate control. Group activity notices and a set of frequently asked questions are also provided.

Gene Campaign

Gene Campaign is a nongovernmental organisation based in Delhi. Established in 1993 by Dr. Suman Sahai, it organises public debates on genetically modified crops and their relevance to Indian small farmers. It also publishes articles and booklets on genetically modified technology, biopiracy, indigenous knowledge and intellectual property rights.

Genetic Engineering Network

The Genetic Engineering Network is a UK-based network of people opposed to the imposition of GM technology. GEN aims to support, link and publicise all those campaigning against genetic engineering, including local campaign and action groups NGOs, direct activists, and individuals.

Genetic Resources Action International

GRAIN is an international non-governmental organisation which promotes the sustainable management and use of agricultural biodiversity based on people's control over genetic resources and local knowledge. It is dedicated to combatting 'genetic erosion', seeks to prevent the destruction of diversity by industrial agriculture, and supports agricultural biodiversity-based programmes. GRAIN publishes quarterly magazines in English (Seedling) and Spanish (Biodiversidad).

GeneWatch UK

GeneWatch UK is an independent organisation concerned with the ethics and risks of genetic engineering. The organisation has a generally negative view of GM crops and questions how, why and whether the use of genetic technologies should proceed.

Greenpeace: Genetic Engineering Campaign

Greenpeace is one of the world's leading campaigning organisations for the environment. It strongly opposes genetic engineering and advocates a precautionary approach. The website includes regular updates on anti-GM campaigns worldwide.

The African Centre for Biosafety

ACB is a nongovernmental organisation campaigning for strict biosafety regulations for genetically modified (GM) organisms in Africa.

It provides a useful overview of developments in African biosafety laws and applications of GM technology across the continent. It also hosts a large collection of related briefing documents and research papers and publishes a list of the GM field trial applications submitted in various countries together with the objections lodged against these.

The Biotechnology Industry Organization

BIO is a lobby group for the biotechnology industry, based in Washington, DC. It seeks to influence US biotechnology policy and speaks on international issues such as relevant World Trade Organisation disputes. Its website publishes background information and position papers on agri-biotechnology and offers summaries of national and international regulations. It also hosts short videos on food from cloned animals and commercialised biotech crops.

The European Association for Bioindustries

Based in Brussels, EuropaBio is an association of bioindustries seeking to influence European biotechnology policy. It publishes press releases, position papers and fact sheets on agricultural biotechnology and offers summaries of other relevant websites.