Farmer-suicide in India: debating the role of biotechnology

Life Sciences, Society and Policy
Gigesh Thomas, Johan De Tavernier

Abstract

Indian Biotech opponents have attributed the increase of suicides to the monopolization of GM seeds, centering on patent control, application of terminator technology, marketing strategy, and increased production costs. The contentions of the biotech opponents, however, have been criticized for a lack of transparency in their modus operandi i.e. the use of methodology in their argumentation. The fact is, however, that with the intention of getting the attention of those capable of determining the future of GM cotton in India, opponents resorted to generating controversies. Therefore, this article will review and evaluate the multifaceted contentions of both opponents and defenders. Although the association between seed monopolization and farmer-suicide is debatable, we will show that there is a link between the economic factors associated with Bt. cultivation and farmer suicide. The underlying thesis of biotech opponents becomes all the more significant when analysed vis-à-vis the contention of the globalization critics that there has been a political and economic marginalization of the Indian farmers. Their accusation assumes significance in the context of a fragile democracy like India where market forces are accorded precede...Continue Reading

References

Jun 3, 2000·Nature Biotechnology
Aug 2, 2001·Nature Biotechnology·M Lundberg, M Johansson
May 1, 2002·Nature Biotechnology·K S Jayaraman
Jul 18, 2002·Trends in Plant Science·Nandula Raghuram
Nov 6, 2004·Nature Biotechnology·K S Jayaraman
Dec 4, 2010·Development and Change·Dominic Glover
Apr 22, 2011·The Journal of Development Studies·Guillaume Gruère, Debdatta Sengupta
Jul 4, 2012·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Jonas Kathage, Matin Qaim
Feb 22, 2013·Nature·Heidi Ledford
Dec 2, 2014·GM Crops & Food·Ronald J Herring

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
transgenic

Software Mentioned

Specter
Protect
RAFI
TRADE

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