2013_12_SWPS_Brooks.pdf (369 kB)
Investing in food security? Philanthrocapitalism, biotechnology and development
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posted on 2023-06-08, 17:50 authored by Sally BrooksThis paper traces the evolution of philanthropic involvement in developing country agriculture from the ‘scientific philanthropy’ of the Rockefeller Foundation during and after the Green Revolution era to the ‘philathrocapitalism’ of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, by examining two cases of ‘pro-poor’ agricultural biotechnology research: pro-Vitamin A-enriched ‘Golden Rice’ and drought tolerant maize. In each case, novel institutions developed for technology transfer have created conditions conducive to future capitalist accumulation in ways that are not immediately obvious. These initiatives can be understood as institutional experiments that are shifting debates about the governance and regulation of genetically modified (‘GM’) crops. Meanwhile an emphasis on silver bullet solutions and institutions that ‘connect to the market’ diverts attention from more context-responsive approaches. This trend is likely to intensify with the announcement at the recent G8 summit backing a ‘New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition’ in which agri-business corporations are to play a key role.
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- Published
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- Published version
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University of SussexPublisher URL
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Brighton, SussexDepartment affiliated with
- SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications
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SWPS 2013-12Institution
University of SussexFull text available
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2014-07-14First Open Access (FOA) Date
2016-03-22First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2016-03-22Usage metrics
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