Socio-economics of biosecurity: four essays on bioinvasions and geneticall modified agriculture

Abstract

The doctoral thesis "Socio-economics of biosecurity: Four essays on bioinvasions and genetically modified agriculture" deals with two highly controversial processes -the introduction of invasive species (IS) and genetically modified organisms (GMOs)-, under the umbrella of the concept of biosecurity. Biosecurity refers to a strategic and integrated approach that encompasses the policy and regulatory frameworks that analyse and manage risks in food safety, animal life and health, and plant life and health, including associated environmental risk. It covers the introduction of plant pests, animal pests and diseases, and zoonoses, the introduction and release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their products, and the introduction and management of invasive alien species and genotypes. In spite of the aspiration to an integrated approach, socio-economics aspects of biosecurity have been much less studied than the technical ones. This is due in part to the modern model of science, that establishes a clear distinction between risk assessment, which is meant to be purely scientific and independent of value-judgements and to provide a supposedly objective basis for decisions based on "sound-science" (usually considering only those health and environmental impacts); and risk management, which supplements the former with social and political considerations. Moreover the societal concerns which cannot be individualised and quantified, or which challenge the economic model, are excluded. This economic model is rooted in a liberal approach based on the idea that, essentially, the legislation should ensure the freedom and right of individuals (displayed in the free market). This is done by means of dumping decisions to the individual sphere, and by setting self interested free choice as the only way of safeguarding rights and liberties. The consequences of this approach are analysed through four published (or accepted) articles dealing with four case studies from an empirical point of view. The first article analyses two invasive processes: zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in the Ebro River (Spain) and Hydrilla verticillata in Lake Izabal (Guatemala). The second one describes the debate and implications of GM maize cultivation in Catalonia and Aragon (Spain) on the European coexistence legislation between GM and non-GM crops. Complementing it, a third article deepens the analysis of the same conflict, by using the DPSIR framework and focusing on the stakeholders narratives. A fourth article, merges processes of invasive species and GMOs by analysing the driving forces, consequences and responses to the emergence of a glyphosate-resistant weed after the massive diffusion of GM glyphosate-resistant soy in Argentina. The four cases are analysed from a qualitative perspective, based on field work and participatory methods. An awareness of the allocation of power is also common to the four case studies, which are analyzed through the perspective of conflict that characterizes political ecology. Key words Argentina, biosafety, biosecurity, coexistence with GMOs, Dreisssena polymorpha, genetically modified maize, Guatemala, Hydrilla verticillata, socio-economics of bioinvasions, Sorghum halepense, Spain.

Date of Award	22 Dec 2008
Original language	English
Supervisor	Joan Martinez Alier (Director) & Roger Strand (Director)