ARTICLE: Who are the donors taking on GMOs?

The following is an excerpt of the third article in a series on the development website Devex that takes a look at some of the major foundations and organizations that are funding GMO-related research projects throughout the world. 

Despite ongoing opposition from some activists to genetically modified organisms, a number of development donors are investigating and funding research of the technology as a means of addressing a range of development challenges. Feeding a growing population, improving nutrition and health, increasing yield, and responding to environmental challenges are among the reason donors give for funding GMO research.

Previously, we have explored the perspective of the scientific community as well as anti-GMO campaigners in the development sector to understanding the arguments both for and against GMOs.

In part three of this series, we look at what role GMOs are playing in development assistance — and why they attract support. Public information remains scarce, but two donors have been particularly open about their efforts to use GMOs to help fight malnutrition and improve food security. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is one of the most prominent donors in this debate. For more than a decade, it has been providing funding for innovative agricultural research, including hundreds of millions of dollars for GMO projects. At the other end of the scale, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research is just entering the GMO space, but through a small pilot project they are hoping will lead to further investment and opportunities.

In between both stand donors such as the United States Agency for International Development, United Kingdom Department for International Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and others who have all tentatively begun funding a range of initiatives supporting the adoption of GMOs in the developing world.

Please visit Devex to read the entire article.