Analysis of open source biotechnology in developing countries: An emerging framework for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

a b s t r a c tAgricultural biotechnology (e.g. genetically modified (GM) crop technology) is rapidly growing and has immense potential to contribute to sustainable agriculture in developing countries. However, due to the privatization and increased intellectual property rights (IPRs) protection, many people in the developing world find it very difficult to access modern biotechnology research tools (e.g. genetic engineering, micro-propagation, mutation breeding etc.) to improve agricultural productivity. This paper reviews the existing open source literature and draws parallels between the open source paradigm and the effect of IPRs on agricultural biotechnology. Using standard qualitative research methodology and examining specific case studies and initiatives, an innovative Open Source Biotechnology Framework (OSBF) is proposed as part of the solution that could address the challenges with IPR and help bring about sustainable agriculture. This paper further examines the potential impacts, constraints, and adoption of open source for agricultural biotechnology. The paper concludes with a summary of issues arising from adopting the open source paradigm in agricultural biotechnology while proposing a way forward.

A Science-Informed Ethics for Agricultural Biotechnology

“…This applies not only to the germplasm itself but increasingly also to the various research tools that are used to process it. Navigation in this thicket is becoming more and more difficult, in particular for researchers in universities and small and medium-sized companies, who often lack the resources and expertise required to identify and perform the legal actions needed to proceed with a particular research project [66,67]. In combination with cumbersome approval procedures, this has led to a situation in which only a few large companies have the resources needed for introducing new crops that are based on biotechnological innovations (p. 224 in [68]).…”

Конкурентоспроможний Розвиток Університетських Офісів Трансферу Технологій: Світовий Досвід Та Україна

“…Інший канал ТТ пропонував розглядати формування та участь у різноманітних мережах. Програми з вільного доступу до ОІВ та ТТ для країн, що розвиваються, у галузі біотехнологій реалізовують такі ініціативи: Публічні ресурси інтелектуальної власності для сільського господарства (PIPRA), Африканський фонд сільськогосподарських технологій (AATF) [19]. Академічні працівники найчастіше є виконавці проектів таких ініціатив.…”

State and problems of transfer of innovations in land use of agricultural enterprises

“…There is a discussion about free access to the intellectual property objects (hereinafter -IPO) in the field of biotechnology to achieve sustainable development in developing countries [2]. Japanese researchers confirm that international specialization has deepened so that there is protection as IPO even research tools, developing countries have no chance to have full access to them [3]. However, investors and scientists should also have financial incentives to continue studies.…”

“…To overcome this internal contradiction of modern IPO protection system there is implementing international projects to provide access to certain IPO concessional or free. Examples of initiatives for free access to IPO for developing countries in biotechnology include public IP resources for agriculture (PIPRA), projects CAMBIA (Centre for the Application of Molecular Biology to International Agriculture), the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), International HapMap Project of forming haplotype map of the human genome (International HapMap) [3]. The urgency of development initiatives for free access to IPO for developing countries in biotechnology is caused by the fact that about 86% of poor people in these countries depend for survival on agriculture [4].…”

“…In economic literature, in various aspects of transfer of innovations and innovation development problems of agricultural enterprises there were engaged the following scientists: A.A. Adenle, S.K. Sowe, G. Parayil, O. Aginam [3], S.E. Cozzens, E. Kallerud, L. Ackers, B. Gill, J. Harper, T.S.…”