A series of events in Costa Rica over the past months – from the departure of Monsanto to the issuing of a request by the national president’s son that all transgenic crops be destroyed – has attracted attention to the debate about whether or not to continue permitting the cultivation of genetically modified seeds in the country. Proponents of GM cultivation have relied heavily on the argument that using GM food production can increase yields, thereby freeing more land for biodiversity conservation in national parks and protected areas. What do these proposals entail, who are their proponents, and why does biodiversity play an important role? This paper uses the current debate to understand the various interests in preserving Costa Rica’s biodiversity, and the driving forces behind the promotion of GMOs as a catalyst for its conservation.

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Erasmus University Rotterdam
hdl.handle.net/1765/19168
ISS Working Papers - General Series
ISS Working Paper Series / General Series
International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University (ISS)

Tuinstra Gomez, A. (2005). Genetically modified crops for biodiversity conservation? : reflections from the GM debate in Costa Rica. ISS Working Paper Series / General Series (Vol. 409, pp. 1–60). Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/19168