Genetic Engineering in Agricultural Landscapes: Controversy, International Policy-Making, Transnational Corporate Interests, and Implications for Armenia

While controversy over genetic engineering remains unsolved, the last decades witnessed unrestrained release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from controlled laboratory setting into agricultural landscapes. The book scrutinizes the claimed benefits and potential risks of GMOs, focusing on crops and food products. It investigates international GMO policy-making alongside the role of corporations in shaping global agrifood governance. The book discusses patenting issues and describes how corporations manipulate or prevent public science in the field. It highlights production of seed-chemical “packages” that imposes selective demand and development of “terminator” (sterile) seeds that prevent farmers from saving seeds for next years, etc. Due to public rejection and stringent policies in Europe, corporations focus on “less resistant” countries with weak capacity to oppose their invasive policies. The book proceeds with situation in Armenia. It investigates public views on GMOs, explores GMO governance mechanisms, and assesses their effectiveness in regulating the field and protecting from possible threats. Finally, recommendations on addressing policy challenges are presented.