Tension on the Farm Fields: The Death of Traditional Agriculture?

What is it about?

Taking into account the historic transitions and progressions in agricultural science, this article examines the emergence of the phenomenon of agricultural biotechnology. It identifies pivotal sites of tension between agricultural biotechnology and alternative approaches to agriculture. The article identifies two distinct sources of contemporary social tension around agricultural science. First, it identifies the epistemological fault line and examines how the latter is promoted by intellectual property. Second, it spotlights the gene-wandering syndrome—a byproduct of genetic modification—and evaluates its impact on the escalating tension in our agricultural communities.

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Why is it important?

Drawing from recent court decisions in Canada, the article recognizes the present urgency for a better jurisprudence and practical regulatory policy on aspects of agricultural biotechnology to mediate current tensions in those communities.

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