ABSTRACT
Article 26 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety enables parties importing living modified organisms (LMOs) to examine the socioeconomic consequences of their impact on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The actions of society in the broadest sense impact constantly on social realities, which in turn affect economic considerations. The prevailing socio-economic conditions are major factors that govern a country’s policy decisions. The ethical, moral and cultural dimensions relating to the alteration, manipulation, patenting and ownership of life forms are prominent among socio-economic considerations. The large-scale introduction of transgenic crops is also linked to the possible ecological hazards which these crops could have when released in alien environments. Eminent scientists differ on the possible ecological impacts of LMOs. Developing countries in particular are happy that the precautionary principle and socio-economic considerations form part of the protocol.
