Duncan
On the GM front, I recommend, "Genetically Modified Crops and
Sustainable Poverty Alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Assessment of
Current Evidence", by Aaron deGrassi of the Institute of Development
Studies at Sussex.
While investigating whether GM crops are addressing the real causes of
poverty and hunger, deGrassi is led to consider why these crops are
attracting so much attention and "excitement" when the actual results
are so unremarkable, "much lower than with either conventional breeding
or agroecology-based techniques". This leads him into comparing the
(often sketchy) evidence available with how it's being showcased for PR
purposes.
'Trade Wars and Media Campaigns' is a section of the report that focuses
specifically on PR - available here:
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=1006
But the PR issue is implicit throughout much of the report, so I
recommend reading it in full - download here:
http://www.twnafrica.org/docs/GMCropsAfrica.pdf
For more background on GM crops and the Third World, there are links to
a series of reports here:
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=1035
As a campaigning news and information group, we've taken a particular
interest in GM spin, and 'hidden' PR - see our website here:
http://ngin.tripod.com/
For example, this section looks at Monsanto's use of the internet as a
means of covertly attacking its critics:
http://ngin.tripod.com/deceit_index.html
In a UK context, see our analysis of a specific institute's science
communication on this issue: http://ngin.tripod.com/biospin.htm
We also regularly touch on PR issues/groups on our lists. Our archive is
now here: http://www.gmwatch.org/archive.asp
Finally, a few miscellaneous items that aren't obvious on the site:
The alliance of science: 'Independent' groups share pro-GM common ground
http://society.guardian.co.uk/societyguardian/story/0,7843,921537,00.html
Strange Bedfellows - covers some of the above in more detail and also
how they interconnect with parts of the science establishment
http://ngin.tripod.com/190303d.htm
Journalist Andy Rowell's new book, Don't Worry, It's Safe to Eat -
published next Thursday
http://www.andyrowell.com/dont_worry_PR.htm
The Fake Parade
http://www.freezerbox.com/archive/article.asp?id=254
Biotech's Hall of Mirrors - summarises some of the covert PR, incl. Fake
Parade
http://www.gene-watch.org/genewatch/articles/16-2matthews.html
Hope it helps
Jonathan Matthews
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