Analysis of open source biotechnology in developing countries: An emerging framework for sustainable agriculture

Ademola A. Adenle, Sulayman K. Sowe, Govindan Parayil and Obijiofor Aginam

Technology in Society, 2012, vol. 34, issue 3, 256-269

Abstract: Agricultural biotechnology (e.g. genetically modified (GM) crop technology) is rapidly growing and has immense potential to contribute to sustainable agriculture in developing countries. However, due to the privatization and increased intellectual property rights (IPRs) protection, many people in the developing world find it very difficult to access modern biotechnology research tools (e.g. genetic engineering, micro-propagation, mutation breeding etc.) to improve agricultural productivity. This paper reviews the existing open source literature and draws parallels between the open source paradigm and the effect of IPRs on agricultural biotechnology. Using standard qualitative research methodology and examining specific case studies and initiatives, an innovative Open Source Biotechnology Framework (OSBF) is proposed as part of the solution that could address the challenges with IPR and help bring about sustainable agriculture. This paper further examines the potential impacts, constraints, and adoption of open source for agricultural biotechnology. The paper concludes with a summary of issues arising from adopting the open source paradigm in agricultural biotechnology while proposing a way forward.

Keywords: Agriculture; Biotechnology; Technology innovation; Sustainable development; Open source software; Intellectual property rights (IPRs); Developing countries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160791X12000450
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:teinso:v:34:y:2012:i:3:p:256-269

DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2012.07.004

Access Statistics for this article

Technology in Society is currently edited by Charla Griffy-Brown

More articles in Technology in Society from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().