Orientador: Antonio Carlos Busoli / Banca: Arlindo Leal Boiça Junior / Banca: Marcos Doniseti Michelotto / Resumo: 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. / Abstract: 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. / Mestre

Tendo em vista a importância da cadeia produtiva do milho para a economia de diversas regiões do Brasil e a liberalização do cultivo de milho geneticamente modificado (GM) no país, em 2007, esta dissertação tem por objetivo analisar os impactos econômicos de longo prazo da adoção do milho Bt11 nos setores inter-relacionados na cadeia produtiva do milho. Além disso, pretende-se analisar as conseqüências da proibição deste cultivo apenas no estado do Paraná, caso a lei estadual nº14162/03 entrasse em vigor. Para tal, utiliza-se um modelo computável de equilíbrio geral inter-regional estático, do tipo bottom-up, denominado TERM-BR. O modelo abrange os 27 estados e o Distrito Federal, conseguindo analisar os impactos sobre a economia do país, sem perder os detalhes regionais e setoriais. Os efeitos da adoção do milho Bt11 são transmitidos ao longo da sua cadeia produtiva, gerando aumento do PIB, das exportações e do consumo das famílias. Todavia, os resultados são mais expressivos nos setores e regiões diretamente relacionados com a cadeia de comercialização do milho, tais como os setores de criação animal e carnes, localizados em sua maioria no Sul do país. Ao analisar a adoção ou não no estado do Paraná as principais diferenças encontram-se na origem e no destino dos fluxos de capital e mão-de-obra entre as regiões brasileiras. Na primeira simulação, ao admitir que o estado do Paraná adote milho Bt11, observa-se um deslocamento de estoque de capital e mão-de-obra para a região Sul, apesar do PIB do Centro-Oeste e Sudeste também aumentar. Considerando que o Paraná não adote milho Bt11, observa-se que tanto a mão-de-obra, quanto o estoque de capital se deslocam para o Centro-Oeste, contudo é possível observar um pequeno aumento no PIB e no consumo das famílias da região Sul. Os resultados mais expressivos ocorrem no próprio estado do Paraná, onde não apenas o setor de milho, como também os setores a jusante perdem competitividade, reduzindo o nível de atividade, emprego e consumo das famílias. Como esses setores possuem grande representatividade no PIB do estado, este também apresenta redução. / Due to the importance of the productive chain of corn to the economy of different regions of Brazil and the liberalization of genetically modified (GM) corn cultivation in the country in 2007, this study aims to analyze the long-run economic impacts of the adoption of Bt11 corn in the inter-related sectors of the productive corn chain. Moreover, it is intended to analyze the consequences of banning Bt11 corn cultivation only in Paraná State, if the state law nº14162/03 was legalized. For this purpose, an interregional static general equilibrium computable model, kind of bottom-up, called TERM-BR was used. This model embraces 27 states plus the Federal District and can analyze the impacts on the economy without losing the regional and sectorial details. The adoption effects of the Bt11 corn are transmitted along its supply chain generating the increase of GDP, exports and household consumption. However, the results are more expressive in sectors and regions directly related to the supply chain of corn, sectors such as animal breeding and meat, mostly located in the south of the country. By analazing the adoption or not in Paraná State, the main results of the study are found on the origin and destination of the flows of capital and labor among the brasilian regions. In the first simulation, it was admitted that the Paraná State adopts Bt11 corn. A displacement in stock of capital and labor for the southern region was observed, despite the GDP increase of the West-Center and Southeastern regions. In the second simulation, it was admitted that Paraná State doesnt adopt the Bt11 corn. It was observed that both the labor force as well as the stock of capital move to the West-Center, and even so it is possible to see an increase in GDP and consumption of households in the Southern region. The most serious consequences happen in Paraná State, where not only the industry of corn, but also corn downstream industries lose competitiveness, reducing the level of activity, employment and household consumption. As these sectors have a considerable weight in GDP of the state, they also present reduction.

A presente dissertação tem por objetivo demonstrar que a maneira como vem ocorrendo o comércio transfronteiriço de alimentos geneticamente modificados gera dúvidas sobre a aptidão da legislação internacional de regulamentá-lo. Os alimentos transgênicos são resultado do avanço da biotecnologia moderna e interferem diretamente na saúde, na alimentação, na economia, nas relações de consumo e no equilíbrio ambiental. Assim, é direito indispensável de todo cidadão o poder optar e decidir a respeito do alimento que irá ingerir. Embora a biotecnologia moderna tenha trazido grandes avanços para a humanidade, ainda não é possível afirmar que os alimentos transgênicos são totalmente isentos de riscos para a saúde humana, animal e para o meio ambiente. Dessa forma, notase que existem posicionamentos opostos sobre a liberação comercial de OGMs no mundo: de um lado, o entendimento de que há inúmeros benefícios que podem advir da disseminação dos cultivos transgênicos para a agricultura e para o comércio; de outro, o entendimento de que há inúmeras incertezas quantos aos potenciais impactos negativos para a humanidade e para a natureza. Apesar das discussões permanecerem, a comercialização e o consumo de alimentos geneticamente modificados vem crescendo de maneira muito rápida e a nota-se que há uma grande preocupação internacional em se regulamentar o tema, porém, a pluralidade de posicionamentos pode gerar carência de coerência e efetividade na regulamentação existente. O avanço da Ciência é inegavelmente mais rápido que o do Direito. A complexidade do tema é enorme, vez que, ainda que a legislação acompanhe o progresso científico, existem divergências entre compromissos globais comerciais e ambientais, que, devido aos diferentes mecanismos de responsabilização e solução de conflitos do Protocolo de Cartagena e dos Acordos da Organização Mundial do Comércio, tendem à prevalência do interesse econômico em detrimento da proteção ambiental. O desafio está em se compatibilizar o avanço tecnológico com a preservação ambiental da maneira mais consciente possível, evitando situações de irreversibilidade de danos ambientais, o que, inevitavelmente traria impactos sobre o comércio internacional, daí a grande dificuldade. / This dissertation aims to demonstrate that the way that has been occurring cross-border trade of genetically modified foods raises doubts about the ability of international law to regulate it. Transgenic food is a result of the advancement of modern biotechnology and directly interferes in the health, in nutrition, in economy, in consumer relations and in environmental balance. It is therefore essential right of every citizen to be able to choose and decide about the food that will ingest. Although modern biotechnology has brought great advances for humanity, it is not yet possible to affirm that transgenic food are completely free of risks to human, animal health and the environment. Thus, we note that there are opposing positions on the commercial release of GMOs in the world: on one hand, the understanding that there are numerous benefits that can accrue the spread of GM crops for agriculture and trade, on the other, the understanding that there are many uncertainties to numerous potential negative impacts for humanity and nature. Despite discussions remains, marketing and consumption of genetically modified foods has been growing very quickly and we note that there is a great concern in the international regulatory issue, however, the plurality of positions can generate a lack of coherence and effectiveness in existing regulating. The advancement of science is undeniably faster than the law. The complexity of the issue is huge, since, although the legislation accompanies scientific progress, there are differences between commercial and global environmental commitments, which, due to the different mechanisms of accountability and conflict resolution of the Cartagena Protocol and the agreements of the World Trade Organization, tend to the prevalence of economic interests over environmental protection. The challenge is to reconcile the technological advancement with environmental preservation in the more conscientious way possible, avoiding situations of irreversibility of environmental damage, which , would inevitably impacts on international trade, hence the great difficulty.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar resíduos de glyphosate e AMPA, produtividade, teor de óleo, conteúdo de proteína bruta e aminoácidos na soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) resistente ao glyphosate (SRG) após a aplicação de formulações deste herbicida. Foram desenvolvidos experimentos em replicata (E1 e E2) em lísimetro sob condições de campo e a campo. O objetivo dos experimentos em lísimetro foi quantificar resíduos de três formulações de 14C-glyphosate na SRG. O cultivar de soja utilizada foi o MSOY 7575RR em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições para ambos os experimentos. Os tratamentos foram glyphosate (sal de isopropilamina), Roundup Original e Roundup Ready na dose de 1,2 kg e.a ha-1 para as três formulações. A aplicação foi realizada aos 25 DAE. Cada planta recebeu 0,96 mg de equivalente ácido (e. a.) de glyphosate com radioatividade total aplicada de 18,33 kBq. A colheita dos grãos, caules, cascas das vagens, folhas e raízes analisadas ocorreram no estágio de maturação plena (R8). A coleta das folhas tratadas ocorreu entre 40 e 55 DAE. Todos os materiais coletados foram moídos. Alíquotas foram oxidadas e quantificadas por espectrometria de cintilação líquida. Não houve diferença estatística entre as formulações para ambos os experimentos, porém formulações com adjuvantes aumentaram os resíduos de glyphosate. Roundup Ready mostrou tendência ao aumento de resíduos em relação aos demais. O valor máximo de resíduos encontrado nos grãos foi de 1,95 mg kg-1. Os experimentos de campo utilizaram a cultivar de soja MSOY 8000RR em delineamento experimental de parcelas subdivididas em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições dos seguintes tratamentos: Rodeo, Roundup Original, Roundup Ready, Roundup WG e Controle para as seguintes parcelas (programas): Única - U20 (aplicação única aos 20 dias após a emergencia DAE na dose de 1,2 kg e.a glyphosate ha-1), Única - U30 (aplicação única aos 30 DAE na dose de 1,2 kg e.a glyphosate ha-1), Seqüencial - S20 (aplicação de 0,96 kg e.a glyphosate ha-1 aos 20 DAE e aplicação seqüencial de 0,72 kg e.a. glyphosate ha-1 aos 35 DAE) e Seqüencial - S30 (aplicação de 0,96 kg e.a glyphosate ha-1 aos 30 DAE e aplicação seqüencial de 0,72 kg e.a glyphosate ha-1 aos 45 DAE). A colheita dos grãos analisados em E1 e E2 ocorreu no estágio R8. As variáveis analisadas em grãos da SRG foram: produtividade, teor de óleo, proteína bruta, aminoácidos, resíduos de glyphosate e AMPA. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos quanto à produtividade, massa de 100 grãos, teor de óleo, conteúdo de proteína bruta e aminoácidos. Houve metabolismo de glyphosate em AMPA e translocação de ambos para os grãos da SRG, exceto para os tratamentos Roundup Original e Roundup Ready, nos programas U20 e S20 do experimento E2. Os maiores níveis de resíduos de glyphosate nos tratamentos Roundup Original e Roundup Ready em U20 e S20 do E2 são devido à presença de adjuvantes destas formulações e provável produtividade de grãos mais baixa do que a média nacional. O maior nível de resíduos de glyphosate foi 0,28 mg kg-1 / The objective of this work was to determine glyphosate and AMPA residues, yield, oil, crude protein content and amino acids in glyphosate-resistant soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) after glyphosate formulations treatment. Experiments (E1 and E2) were performed in lysimeter under field conditions and under field conditions. Lysimeter experiments under field conditions aimed to quantify residues of three formulations of 14C-glyphosate in glyphosate-resistant soybean to this herbicide (GRS). The GRS cultivar used was MSOY 7575RR in a completely randomized design with four replications each treatment. E2 is the E1 replicated 15 days after E1 planting. The treatments were glyphosate isopropylamine, Roundup Ready and Roundup Original at 1.2 kg ae ha-1 for the three formulations. The application was applied on 25 DAE. Each plant received 0.96 mg of acid equivalent (a.e.) glyphosate applied with 18.33 kBq of total radioactivity. Harvest of grains, stems, pod husks, leaves and roots was done at the stage of full maturity (R8). Treated leaves were collected between 40 and 55 DAE. All analysed material was grounded. Aliquotes were oxidized and quantified by liquid scintillation spectrometry. There were no statistical differences among treatments. However, formulations with adjuvants have increased glyphosate residues in GRS. Roundup Ready treatment had a trend to increase residues. The highest glyphosate residual level found in grains was 1.95 mg kg-1. Field experiments were conducted using MSOY 8000 RR variety. The experimental design was a split plot with programmes as main randomized plots and five treatments as subplots having four replications. The treatments were Rodeo, Roundup Original, Roundup Ready, Roundup WG and Control. Programmes were U20 (unique application of 1.2 kg ha-1 a.e. glyphosate at 20 DAE), U30 (unique application of 1.2 kg ha-1 a.e. glyphosate ha-1 at 30 DAE), S20 (apllication of 0.96 kg ha-1 a.e. glyphosate at 20 dae followed by a sequential application of 0.72 kg ha-1 a.e. glyphosate at 35 DAE) and S30 (apllication of 0.96 kg ha-1 a.e. glyphosate at 30 dae followed by a sequential application of 0.72 kg ha-1 a.e. glyphosate at 45 DAE). The analysed variables were: yield, oil content, crude protein, amino acids and glyphosate and AMPA residues. There was glyphosate metabolism in AMPA and translocation of both to GRS grains. The exceptions were Roundup Original and Roundup Ready treatments of E2 on U20 and S20 programs, most likely due the adjuvants of these formulations and the E2 yield lower than the Brazilian average. The highest residue level found in GRS grains was 0.28 mg kg-1

Orientador: José Maria Ferreira Jardim da Silveira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Economia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T02:55:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ramos_JosileneAndrade_M.pdf: 3503382 bytes, checksum: 4ce3179b0ef3b6599666ed632316c807 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Desde a década de 1990 a cotonicultura brasileira vem apresentando crescimento, tendo a adoção de tecnologias, em especial variedades de algodão geneticamente modificadas, cujo seu cultivo foi liberado em 2005, como um grande fator no aumento da produtividade e redução dos custos e consequente retomada da cultura em antigas regiões produtoras desfavorecidas por crises que causaram a retração desta cultura. De salientar que o lançamento das cultivares está envolto a discussões sobre seus impactos ambientais. Embora se tenha observado o ressurgimento da cotonicultura em diversas regiões do país o cenário é ainda de grande disparidade produtiva entre as regiões do Centro ¿ Oeste e do Nordeste do país. O acesso à tecnologia, o nível de escolaridade, e o acesso à assistência técnica são os principais vetores das desigualdades. No que diz respeito ao acesso à tecnologia, pode-se afirmar que independentemente da maior ou menor disponibilidade de tecnologias desenvolvidas para os agricultores familiares, mostra-se necessário ter claro que a maior dificuldade principal refere-se à capacidade de inovar, e esta está relacionada não só à tecnologia em si, mas também à inserção nos mercados, condições de financiamento, disponibilidade de recursos, análise de risco, dentre outros fatores. Desse modo a criação de redes sociais entre os pequenos cotonicultores tem se mostrado como uma alternativa para que se tenha melhor acesso à tecnologia. É nesse contexto que a rede de cotonicultores de Catuti foi escolhida para ser o objeto de estudo desta dissertação na medida em que chama atenção por ser uma organização de pequenos produtores que retomaram o cultivo de algodão através da utilização de sementes transgênicas, e apresentar ganhos de produção, e plantio de forma sustentável. O estudo de caso mostrou através do software PAJEK, que a organização em forma de rede propicia ao elo de vários atores de naturezas distintas, o que por seu turno possibilita a inserção no mercado e a adoção de tecnologia por parte dos pequenos agricultores associados à Cooperativa de Produtores Rurais de Catuti (COOPERCAT) / Abstract: Since the 1990s the Brazilian cotton industry is showing growth, with the adoption of technologies, particularly genetically modified varieties of cotton, whose cultivation was released in 2005 as a major actor in increased productivity and consequent resumption of culture in ancient regions disadvantaged producers by crises that caused the decline of this culture. Please note that the release of cultivars is wrapped discussions about their environmental impacts. We observed a resurgence of cotton production in various regions of the country the scenery is still great disparity between the productive regions of the Mid - West and Northeast. Access to technology, education level, and access to technical assistance are the main vectors of inequalities. With regard to access to technology, it can be stated that regardless of the greater or lesser availability of technologies developed for family farmers, must have showed clear that most main difficulty relates to the ability to innovate, and this is related not only to technology itself, but also to the insertion in the markets, financing conditions, availability of resources, risk analysis, among other factors. Thus the creation of social networks among small cotton farmers has proved to be an alternative in order to have better access to technology. It is in this context that the network of cotton farmers Catuti was chosen to be the object of study of this dissertation in that it draws attention for being an organization of small producers who resumed the cultivation of cotton through the use of transgenic seeds, and present extraordinary gains production, planting and sustainably. The case study showed PAJEK through the software, the organization in network provides the link various actors of distinct natures, which in turn enables the insertion in the market and the adoption of technology by small farmers associated with the Cooperative Rural Producers Catuti (COOPERCAT) / Mestrado / Desenvolvimento Economico, Espaço e Meio Ambiente / Mestra em Desenvolvimento Econômico

Orientador: José Maria Ferreira Jardim da Silveira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Economia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T21:54:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Oliveira_PauloRicardodaSilva_M.pdf: 1949080 bytes, checksum: 79c2935874a90f66b236b1b640335f4c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Tendo sua produção comercial iniciada em 1996, os alimentos geneticamente modificados (GM) têm gerado, desde então, uma série de polêmicas que envolvem não só fatores de ordem científica, mas também de ordem econômica, política e social. Este trabalho trata, especificamente, da inserção comercial da soja GM na agricultura e os decorrentes impactos ocorridos na cadeia global de comercialização. Através do Método das Parcelas Constantes (Constant Market Share- CMS), decompõem-se as alterações do market share dos países em efeitos distintos, possibilitando o isolamento do efeito da inovação tecnológica e sua adoção sobre os destinos e as quantidades da soja exportada pelos maiores produtores globais. O estudo revela que, a adoção tecnológica por parte dos produtores, ocorrida em períodos distintos para cada país, e a rejeição comercial por parte de alguns mercados podem explicar de forma consistente grande parte das alterações nas relações comerciais entre produtores e consumidores tradicionais, ocorridas a partir de 1996. Ao contrário do que parte da literatura vem enfatizando sobre o comércio de alimentos GM, as barreiras legais, isto é, as proibições e moratórias de facto não tiveram papel importante nos desdobramentos que sucederam o caso da soja GM. Ademais, o trabalho tece considerações a respeito das tendências mais atuais, analisando como os efeitos sofridos pelo comércio internacional de OGM foram se perpetuando a despeito de mudanças nos padrões de oferta do produto e persistem até dias atuais. Evidências levantadas neste trabalho contribuem para compreensão e, consequentemente, para a formulação de políticas que permeiem a difusão de tecnologias com rejeição de mercado / Abstract: Genetically modified food has been being commercially produced since 1996. There are a number of controversies surrounding GM food that involve not only scientific issues, but economic, political and social ones as well. This thesis primarily discusses the introduction of genetically modified (GM) seeds into agriculture and the impact they have on the modus operandi of the international trade of agricultural commodities. An adapted Constant Market Share is used. This method makes it possible to analyze the increase or decrease in the market share of a country in terms of distinct effects, making it possible to identify the effect of technology adoption, in terms of destination and quantity, on the largest soybean producer's worldwide. The central finding in this thesis is that the technology adopted by producers, which took place at different time periods for each country, and the market rejection in certain countries, consistently explain the changes in the soybean market, in terms of exporters and traditional importers after 1996. Contrary to certain studies on the topic, it is argued that bans and de facto moratoriums on GM-Food importation have played no important role in explaining the case of GM soybeans. Furthermore, the thesis examines more modern trends, analyzing how changes in the international trade of GMOs continued over the years despite recent alterations in the demand and supply pattern. Findings from this thesis contribute to better understanding the diffusion process of technologies with market rejection and consequently to the development of political policies / Mestrado / Desenvolvimento Economico, Espaço e Meio Ambiente / Mestre em Desenvolvimento Econômico

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.

GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS AND LEGAL REGULATION OF THEIR USE ENGLISH RESUME This thesis aims to give a complete insight into the framework and problem questions arising in connection with legal regulation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The use of genetic modifications as one of modern techniques of biotechnology has spread widely during last fifty years. This technology has brought many advances. On the other hand as any new technology it represents potential adverse effects on biological diversity and possible risks to human health. At the beginning there is a brief introduction into GMOs from historical and technical point of view. Then I dealt with biosafety measures adopted at global, regional and national levels. The main principles of environmental law take part afterwards. I am focusing mainly on prevention and precautionary principle. International law relating to the GMOs consists of soft law documents. There is only one exception - Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety focusing on transboundary movement. The Law of EU comprises of Regulations, Directives and Recommendations. Notifications, approvals, risk assessment and monitoring are consequential. The Czech law has been harmonized according to the law of the European Communities. Act no. 78/2004 Coll., on the use of GMOs and genetic...

Master of Science - Agricultural Education and Communication / Department of Communications and Agricultural Education / Jason D. Ellis / Genetically modified crops have been beneficial to farmers in terms of saved time, money, and energy while increasing yields and often times reducing pesticide dependency. These benefits outweigh the increased costs, allowing genetically modified crops to become one of the fastest adopted farm technologies in history. Despite overwhelming approval of genetically modified crops among farmers, consumers have been hesitant to consume genetically modified food. Consumers see genetically modified food as a risk without immediate reward. Millennial consumers are a powerful population segment that rivals or overtakes other population segments in terms of size, influence, and purchasing abilities. Yet, they are often lumped into one homogenous group by marketers when they are a diverse group comprised of unique segments. The purpose of this study was to better understand how millennial consumers find and process risk information about genetically modified food so that agricultural communicators can better strategize communication efforts. Applying the Situational Theory of Publics and the Risk Information Seeking and Processing Model, this study went one step further by differentiating between Supportive and Non-supportive publics. The research objectives of this study are as follows: 1) Identify the individual characteristics of both Supportive and Non-supportive millennial publics of genetically modified food; 2) Examine relevant channel beliefs of Supportive and Non-supportive millennial publics of genetically modified food; 3) Identify and describe the information gap of Supportive and Non-supportive millennial publics of genetically modified food; 4) Define the perceived information gathering capacity of Supportive and Non-supportive millennial publics of genetically modified food; and 5) Characterize the information seeking and processing behavior of Supportive and Non-supportive millennial publics of genetically modified food. An Internet survey was distributed to individuals between the ages of 18 and 36 within the United States. The majority of Non-supportive publics had a high level of issue involvement and the majority of Supportive publics had a low level of issue involvement. Meaning, the majority of Non-supportive publics are more active about the issue than Supportive publics. Age was found to be correlated with systematic processing and information avoidance with older millennials more likely to systematically process information and less likely to avoid information. Additionally, this study found that regardless of knowledge level, wealthier individuals who do not support genetically modified food are more likely to be actively involved in the issue and wealthier individuals who support the technology are more likely to be passive about the issue. The majority of millennial publics in all eight groups reported a knowledge deficit to some degree. The research also found that heuristic processing was negatively correlated to systematic processing and higher levels of information avoidance were negatively correlated with lower levels of active information seeking. Non-supportive Active publics (high issue involvement/high knowledge) were found to have the highest mean active information seeking and systematic processing scores and lowest mean heuristic processing and information avoidance scores; supporting past findings that knowledge does not always equate to support and that communication practitioners may have trouble changing the opinion of a large portion of Non-supportive publics.

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the economic potential and opportunities for introducing Genetically Modified (GM) cassava that is Cassava Mosaic Virus (CMV) resistant and has improved starch properties in South Africa. The level of cassava production in South Africa is limited and thus a study on a new technology for this crop may seem strange. However, with innovations like the CMV resistance trait or amylose free cassava starch, cassava production in South Africa can possibly become more viable and relatively more profitable than competing crops such as maize and potatoes. Various ex ante economic methods and approaches to assessing economic impacts exist in the subject literature: the partial budget approach, cost benefit analysis, consumer and producer or economic surplus approach and the computable general equilibrium (CGE) or simulation model. For the purpose of this study and due to available data, a simple gross margin analysis was applied to analyse the economic profitability of genetically modified cassava in South Africa in comparison to maize and potato. Due to data limitations, this study relies on a synthesis between secondary information from various studies in other African countries and interviews with experts. The information collected was used to assess the potential for genetically modified cassava in South Africa. Secondary information and interviews with experts were used to provide more insights and information relating to the possible opportunities, constraints, performance of the genetically modified events, and production practices for cassava and other competing crops like maize and potato in the country. The gross margin analysis results show that cassava production is not profitable at farm level for both dryland and irrigation scenarios. However, processing cassava into starch results in higher returns from the higher starch output and quality compared to potato and maize. The starch from cassava has many industrial applications. The scenario analysis for GM cassava and infected cassava at 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% expected yield loss showed that the CMV resistant and amylose free GM cassava provides additional benefits due to its better quality and higher starch yields compared to infected varieties. The higher quality starch yields a higher profit making it even more profitable to produce cassava for starch. The results of interviews with subject experts show that cassava production and utilisation has lagged behind other crops in South Africa and the crop is sparingly and informally traded. An analysis of market constraints showed that there is a strong consumer taste preference for maize and other cereals dominating the starch market. Other factors that have contributed to the lagging behind of cassava in South Africa and other African countries are the post colonial government policies that favoured maize over cassava. Cassava has a number of important traits that present a competitive advantage for cassava as a commercial crop for farmers compared to other crops such as maize and potato. For example, cassava can be grown under difficult environmental conditions and has a wide range of applications ranging from food products to industrial starches. Cassava can be grown as a monoculture crop, unlike maize and potato which require rotation. In addition, the special characteristics of cassava starch present an important alternative to maize, wheat, rice and potato. Cassava flour and starch have unique properties which make them ideal for many applications in the food, textile and paper industries where flour and starch from other crops hold a quasi monopoly. For example, among starch producing plants, cassava has been considered as the highest yield producer (25 to 40 percent higher than potato, rice and maize) and as the most efficient (the highest) converter of solar energy to carbohydrate per unit area. However, despite these advantages, cassava has remained a neglected crop in South African agricultural research and development activities compared to cereals. However, the increasing demand for starch based applications in the food industry and industrial sector and the fact that the industry is searching for a cheaper substitute for cereals present an impressive market growth potential for cassava starch. For example, industries including the paper industry, food industry and textile industry are the main buyers of cassava starch in South Africa. The results from interview discussions show that there are some concerns and questions related to the introduction of GM cassava in South Africa. One of the main concerns was that empirical studies in South Africa have shown that the occurrence of cassava mosaic virus in the country is very low; it has an approximate 2 percent incidence rate. As a result, large scale producers have been able to control CMV through good management practices, natural selection and chemical control. Also, bureaucracy and lack of transparency in the South African genetically modified organism (GMO) regulatory system, especially regarding socio-economic issues consumer perception on GM cassava, may result in an extended delay before contained field trials are conducted in the country. It has also become clear that the two proposed GM events are still relatively far from being commercialisable. Furthermore, the current availability of mutant varieties of conventional cassava varieties that can produce better quality starch with a very low amylose content provide an important alternative to GM cassava. The utilisation of the former tends to be less time consuming and less expensive compared to GM cassava. It is difficult to perform a socio-economic assessment before confined laboratory tests or field trials have been conducted. Further development of the potential product would supply crucial information that is needed for an ex ante socio-economic study. It is clear that this study was conducted far too early as GM technologies are not yet remotely close to being ready for commercialisation. Many basic studies still need to be conducted, including field trials. The South African GMO Act and regulations do not clearly stipulate when a socio-economic study should be conducted, but it is clear that the worth of a study conducted before any confined field trials had been performed would be questionable. Copyright / Dissertation (MScAgric)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted