As society begins to recognize its impact on ecological systems, the belief that modern political institutions can offer a sense of control and certainty, as well as protect the health of its citizens, is increasingly questioned. In an era of uncertainty, faith in science and technology to alleviate industrial impacts on the environment is often embraced by policymakers yet questioned by the public who see the authoritative role of the sciences in the political sphere as contributing to global risk. The development of biotechnology, specifically genetically modified food, places an anthropocentric focus on resolving and/or adapting to environmental degradation, further reflecting an adherence to the dominant social paradigm to address the consequences of modernization. In order to explicate the dualism of human/nature relations inherent in biotechnology, the focus of this research provides an exploration into two competing paradigms of genetically modified organism (GMO) regulatory policy: scientific rationality and social rationality. Through a careful examination of the evolution of GMO regulation in the United States and the European Union, the precarious relationships between science and politics and progress and precaution reveal an actual convergence instead of divergence between these two actors in the international system. Although existing literature proclaims a division between the values and ethics of U.S. and EU environmental policy, the end result of this comparison in GMO regulation illustrates that in both the risk assessment and precautionary approaches, nature is still viewed as an instrument for advancing enclosure of the commons.

Vermont is the first and only state in the US to establish mandatory labels for food containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This thesis investigates the impact of the mandatory labeling law as it relates to changes in prices, quantities sold, and opinions of GMOs. First, grocery store scanner data from Vermont and Oregon are compared using triple difference (difference-in-difference-in-difference) models. Next, Vermont, Oregon, and Colorado survey response data are compared using difference-in-difference models. The findings reveal that there is a general price premium for non-GMO goods of $0.05/oz across all states and times, that mandatory labeling laws do not result in a short-term change in quantities sold or prices of GMO products, and that both mandatory labeling laws and failed mandatory labeling referendums cause an increase in support for GMOs in the food supply. The implications of this research are that mandatory GMO labels did not impact short-term prices or sales and increased the level of support for GMOs.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-07-24Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:58:00Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 costa_ll_me_jabo.pdf: 384581 bytes, checksum: 9399a91772503c1f48c8f0c1334b8197 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Objetivou-se estudar a dinâmica populacional de Alabama argillacea, (Hübner), o parasitismo natural dos ovos da referida praga por Trichogramma pretiosum Riley e a ocorrência de predadores em cultivares convencionais e transgênica de algodoeiro na região de Ipameri, GO. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos constituídos pelas cultivares convencionais DeltaOPAL, FMX 966, FMX 993; FMX 910 e a transgênica NuOPAL, com quatro repetições. As avaliações foram realizadas semanalmente após a emergência das plantas, examinando-se 5 plantas inteiras ao acaso, por parcela. Em relação à preferência de oviposição e ao parasitismo dos ovos de A. argillacea por T. pretiosum, verifica-se que não ocorreram diferenças siginificativas entre as cultivares. As lagartas do curuquerê ocorreram a partir dos 34 dias após a emergência das plantas (DAE), mas a densidade populacional nas cultivares convencionais foi mais intensa dos 89 aos 114 DAE, enquanto na cultivar transgênica observou-se apenas lagartas pequenas, em baixa densidade. Dos artrópodes predadores observados nas cultivares avaliadas, os coccinelídeos e aranhas foram os mais abundantes. A população de coccinelídeos foi maior no início do desenvolvimento do algodoeiro, com pico populacional sincronizado com o de Aphis gossypii Glover. Os pentatomídeos e forficulídeos predominaram dos 99 aos 128 DAE, enquanto as aranhas ocorreram em todo ciclo da cultura. Verificou-se também que não houve interação negativa entre os artrópodes predadores e não foi constatado efeito negativo da cultivar transgênica sobre os predadores observados. / The objective was to study the population dynamics of Alabama argillacea (Hueb.), natural egg parasitism of the mentioned pest by Trichogramma pretiosum Riley and the occurrence of predators in conventional and transgenic varieties of cotton in the region of Ipameri, GO. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five treatments consisting of the conventional cultivars DeltaOPAL, FMX 966, FMX 993, FMX 910 and transgenic NuOPAL, with four replications. Evaluations were performed weekly after emergence of plants, observed 5 entire plants at random per plot. Regarding the preference of oviposition and egg parasitism of A. argillacea by T. pretiosum it appears that there weren’t significant differences among cultivars. The larvae of cotton leafworm occurred from 34 days after plant emergence (DAE), but the population density of larvae in the conventional cultivars, was more intense from 89 to 114 DAE, while in transgenic cultivar was observed only small larvae, in low population density. Of the arthropods sampled in the cotton crop, the coccinellids and spiders were most abundant in the cultivars evaluated. The population of coccinellids was higher early in the development of cotton, with synchronized with the peak population of aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover. The predominant pentatomid and forficulid of 99 to 128 DAE, while the spiders occurred throughout the culture cycle. It was not found negative interactions between predatory arthropod and wasn’t observed negative effect of the transgenic cultivar on predator observed.

The proposed release of genetically modified mosquitoes (GMM) in the Florida Keys to combat the spread of diseases such as Zika prompted heated local debate, turning a seemingly routine mosquito control policy into a public scientific controversy. Arguments about the GMM derive from inventional commonplaces where the historical conflict between democratic systems of civic deliberation and the epistemic authority of expertise is instantiated. This project analyzes the topoi that Keys participants gather around to generate their argumentative positions as published in public, local print and digital news articles, blog posts, and letters to the editor between 2011 and 2016. Investigating the commonplaces that orient the argumentative trajectories of Keys participants reveals that each relational topos intersects with individual worldviews, risk assessments, and standards and can therefore be used for contradictory arguments. The many complex and connected factors that influence participant positions must be appreciated and acknowledged in any such civic deliberation about a science-related policy or technology. There is no easy resolution for such conflicts, such as clarifying scientific data for the public, to generate consensus; the irresolvable tension between democracy and expertise underlies public scientific controversies and requires mutual respect and appreciation for the varied reasons why people disagree to move towards more productive civic discourse.

This thesis deals with promoting of the interests in the area of genetically modified organisms. The aim is to analyze the activities of interest groups in the area and affect different approach of governments to GMO in the USA and Europe. The work is structured into four parts. The first chapter theoretically defines interest groups and lobbying. The second chapter is devoted to genetically modified organisms and the differences between the EU and the USA in the legislation, the extent of cultivation and the approach of governments. The third chapter deals with Monsanto - the company that dominates the amount of interest groups in this area. The fourth chapter presents a case study of the problem of genetically modified maize in Europe. Just on the case of genetically modified maize can be seen in the European Union activities interest groups, approach of member states and European Union approach.

Biotechnologies potentially have significant benefits for developing countries but many countries lack complete regulatory processes to allow their release. In evaluating the potential benefits of genetically modified crops, one must be able to measure the true cost of regulations in addition to the other costs associated with bringing the crop to market. The objectives of this paper are to (1) identify the direct costs of the regulation of Bt eggplant, Bt rice, ringspot virus resistant (PRSV) papaya and virus resistant tomatoes in the Philippines, and (2) estimate the opportunity cost of time lost in the regulatory process. The study compares the cost of regulations as they differ by factors such as the existence of previous studies on the product or the intention for export or domestic use. It is hypothesized that the costs are greater for products that are intended for export or human consumption or are produced by the private sector. It is also hypothesized that these factors increase the time to complete the regulatory process, therefore increasing the opportunity cost of time. This study evaluates the economic impact of the GMO regulatory process on the change in producer surplus, the net present value and the internal rate return using an economic surplus model. Scientists and other experts in the field of GMOs and regulation were interviewed to obtain the necessary data on the regulatory process. The evaluation was carried out for four different commodities in the Philippines, Bt Rice, Bt Eggplant, PRSV Papaya and MVR Tomato. The results for the open economy model revealed a change in producer surplus, as a result of the GMO research, of $418.3 million for Bt Rice and $353.7 million for PRSV Papaya. The closed economy model of Bt Eggplant has a change in producer surplus of $25.1 million and a change in total surplus of $40.8 million while the result for the change in producer surplus for MVR Tomato is $19.3 million and the change in total surplus is $51.6 million. A sensitivity analysis of the results was then carried out in which the elasticity of supply, the cost of regulation, and the release date were each varied in order to show the welfare impact of such changes. The sensitivity analysis revealed limited changes in surplus when elasticity and regulatory costs were changed. However, changing the date of release or commercialization resulted in monumental changes in surplus. / Master of Science

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade, a quantidade e a capacidade de amplificação por PCR de DNA extraído de grãos de soja e milho, seus derivados e produtos acabados contendo como ingredientes obtidos desses grãos, com vistas à detecção de resíduos de organismos geneticamente modificados em alimentos. Para a amplificação de DNA pela PCR convencional, não houve melhor adequação de um protocolo de extração. Ambos métodos, CTAB e coluna de sílica tiveram desempenho comparável para as 32 matrizes avaliadas. A técnica de PCR em tempo real se mostrou mais sensível à qualidade do DNA testado e nesse contexto, o método CTAB se mostrou mais eficiente do que o método de coluna de sílica. Independentemente do método de extração utilizado não foi possível detectar DNA em óleos de soja e milho e em alguns derivados de amido, sugerindo que a aplicabilidade da lei de rotulagem pode esbarrar num entrave técnico no caso de algumas matrizes alimentares altamente processadas. / The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality, the quantity and the amplifiability by PCR of DNA isolated from soybean and maize grains and their by-products targeting the detection of genetically modified organisms in food. PCR amplification of DNA samples isolated either from CTAB and silica-column extraction methods achieved comparable performances. Both extraction methods showed similar results for the 32 tested matrices. The DNA amplification by real time PCR appeared to be affected by the quality of the isolated DNA. In this context, the CTAB extraction method showed to be more suitable when compared to the silica-column method. No DNA was amplified from soy and maize oils, as well as from some starch by-products, regardless the DNA extraction method used. It suggests that, the labeling requirement may rely on technical issues considering some high processed foodstuffs.

Notre thèse est une contribution pour repenser les rapports entre sciences et éthiques, et avancer vers une démocratie épistémique. Qu'il s'agisse de démontrer l'insoutenabilité d'une science contre l'Homme ou d'identifier les conditions d'une remontée de l'Homme dans les sciences, la visée nous semble la même : il s'agit de réunir-sans-unifier ce qui, dans la science, est de l'ordre de l'épistémique, du technique et de l'éthique. Pour ce faire, il nous faut préalablement travailler en profondeur sur deux espaces - épistémologique et éthique -, et ceci sans d'abord les mélanger ou les recouvrir l'un sur l'autre. Car si les sciences nous sont effectivement données dans leurs mélanges (avec le technique, le politique, l'économique, le social ou le philosophique), rendant à la mode les thèmes de technoscience, de nouveau régime de production des savoirs ou encore de science post-normale, il ne s'agit pas pour nous d'un symptôme de la fin de l'épistémologie mais de la nécessité de son renouvellement. Celui-ci passera, et il s'agit là de notre thèse principale, par de nouveaux rapports avec l'éthique. Nous donnons à cette thèse le nom d'intégrité épistémique et éthique des sciences. Afin de définir les conditions et la portée de celle-ci, nous proposons deux hypothèses, respectivement au sein de l'espace épistémologique et éthique : celle d'un pluralisme épistémique ordonné et celle d'une éthique générique. Nous défendons ces hypothèses à la lumière d'un long travail d'instruction d'un objet des sciences et techniques contemporaines, le poisson génétiquement modifié. In fine, notre travail permet de ré-interroger les postulats classiques de l'évaluation et de proposer de nouvelles pistes de recherches. / The current crisis of the concept of science invites us to renew the links between epistemology and ethics. In this context, we make the assumption of epistemic and ethics integrity of science. To defend this thesis we advance two main assumptions : (i) that of an epistemic pluralism : in this regard, we suggest five hypotheses : pluralism as epistemic posture, pluralism as a non-epistemological description of science, pluralism as a form of common sense, pluralism as a new thought of the uncertainty and pluralism as a indisciplinaire approach. (ii) that of a generic ethics : to do this, we proceed in three levels : in the space of ethics, the mode of action and scope of ethics in science. With the support of this work in the areas epistemologies and ethical, the conditions for epistemic and ethics integrity of science are, in our opinion, the following : a pluralistic attitude, a democracy epistemic and an thinking of integrative objects. We give the characteristics of these conditions, then we put them in perspectives with the specific case of GM fish.

Submitted by YUNA FONTOURA (yunareis@gmail.com) on 2015-12-18T14:09:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Final Thesis Yuna.pdf: 2767793 bytes, checksum: 75dc946b956c5160ac270cb45e4b4eb1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by ÁUREA CORRÊA DA FONSECA CORRÊA DA FONSECA (aurea.fonseca@fgv.br) on 2015-12-18T15:27:27Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Final Thesis Yuna.pdf: 2767793 bytes, checksum: 75dc946b956c5160ac270cb45e4b4eb1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2015-12-21T18:21:43Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Final Thesis Yuna.pdf: 2767793 bytes, checksum: 75dc946b956c5160ac270cb45e4b4eb1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-21T18:22:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Final Thesis Yuna.pdf: 2767793 bytes, checksum: 75dc946b956c5160ac270cb45e4b4eb1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-27 / Since the international financial and food crisis that started in 2008, strong emphasis has been made on the importance of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) (or 'transgenics') under the claim that they could contribute to increase food productivity at a global level, as the world population is predicted to reach 9.1 billion in the year 2050 and food demand is predicted to increase by as much as 50% by 2030. GMOs are now at the forefront of the debates and struggles of different actors. Within civil society actors, it is possible to observe multiple, and sometime, conflicting roles. The role of international social movements and international NGOs in the GMO field of struggle is increasingly relevant. However, while many of these international civil society actors oppose this type of technological developments (alleging, for instance, environmental, health and even social harms), others have been reportedly cooperating with multinational corporations, retailers, and the biotechnology industry to promote GMOs. In this thesis research, I focus on analysing the role of 'international civil society' in the GMO field of struggle by asking: 'what are the organizing strategies of international civil society actors, such as NGOs and social movements, in GMO governance as a field of struggle?' To do so, I adopt a neo-Gramscian discourse approach based on the studies of Laclau and Mouffe. This theoretical approach affirms that in a particular hegemonic regime there are contingent alliances and forces that overpass the spheres of the state and the economy, while civil society actors can be seen as a 'glue' to the way hegemony functions. Civil society is then the site where hegemony is consented, reproduced, sustained, channelled, but also where counter-hegemonic and emancipatory forces can emerge. Considering the importance of civil society actors in the construction of hegemony, I also discuss some important theories around them. The research combines, on the one hand, 36 in-depth interviews with a range of key civil society actors and scientists representing the GMO field of struggle in Brazil (19) and the UK (17), and, on the other hand, direct observations of two events: Rio+20 in Rio de Janeiro in 2012, and the first March Against Monsanto in London in 2013. A brief overview of the GMO field of struggle, from its beginning and especially focusing in the 1990s when the process of hegemonic formation became clearer, serves as the basis to map who are the main actors in this field, how resource mobilization works, how political opportunities ('historical contingencies') are discovered and exploited, which are the main discourses ('science' and 'sustainability' - articulated by 'biodiversity preservation', 'food security' and 'ecological agriculture') articulated among the actors to construct a collective identity in order to attract new potential allies around 'GMOs' ('nodal point'), and which are the institutions and international regulations within these processes that enable hegemony to emerge in meaningful and durable hegemonic links. This mapping indicates that that the main strategies applied by the international civil society actors are influenced by two central historical contingencies in the GMO field of struggle: 1) First Multi-stakeholder Historical Contingency; and 2) 'Supposed' Hegemony Stability. These two types of historical contingency in the GMO field of struggle encompass deeper hegemonic articulations and, because of that, they induce international civil society actors to rethink the way they articulate and position themselves within the field. Therefore, depending on one of those moments, they will apply one specific strategy of discourse articulation, such as: introducing a new discourse in hegemony articulation to capture the attention of the public and of institutions; endorsing new plural demands; increasing collective visibility; facilitating material articulations; sharing a common enemy identity; or spreading new ideological elements among the actors in the field of struggle.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-03-11Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:26:16Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 lohmann_tr_me_jabo.pdf: 1159043 bytes, checksum: 91192fb7d70eb0a6d02bd04c9badaf8f (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito da proteína Vip3Aa20, originária da bactéria Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, sobre a broca-do-colmo Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) e dois de seus parasitóides: o parasitóide larval Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) e o parasitóide de ovos Trichogramma galloi Zucchi. D. saccharalis mostrou-se suscetível à proteína, apresentando efeitos letais e subletais. Foram afetadas pela proteína as características mortalidade larval, duração do período larval, número de ínstares larvais e peso de larvas, enquanto que a mortalidade pupal e a duração do período pupal não foram afetadas e o peso de pupas apresentou resultados divergentes entre os bioensaios conduzidos. Para os parasitóides, avaliaram-se os efeitos da exposição direta (ingestão da proteína pelos adultos) e indireta (ingestão da proteína por D. saccharalis e posterior parasitismo). Em C. flavipes, não foram observados efeitos pela exposição direta, enquanto que na exposição indireta ocorreu efeito negativo sobre as características peso da massa de casulos e peso do adulto. Estes efeitos podem ser associados ao efeito mediado pelo hospedeiro. Em T. galloi, não foram observados efeitos da proteína Vip3Aa20 sobre os parasitóides, tanto na exposição direta como na indireta / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Vip3Aa20 protein, originating from the Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner bacterium, on sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) and two of its parasitoids: larval parasitoid Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) and egg parasitoid Trichogramma galloi Zucchi. D. saccharalis was susceptible to protein, with lethal and sublethal effects. Larval mortality, larval period, number of instars and larval weight were affected by the protein, while pupal mortality and pupal period were not affected and pupal weight presented discrepant results between bioassays conducted. For the parasitoids, direct (protein ingested by adults) and indirect (protein ingested by sugarcane borer with later parasitism) exposure were evaluated. In C. flavipes, no effects were observed by direct exposure, while in indirect exposure negative effects occurred on the cocoons weight and adult weight. These effects may be associated with the effect mediated by the host. No effects were verified on T. galloi when this species was direct or indirectly exposed to Vip3Aa20 protein