Evaluation of GEF Support for Biosafety : Full Report
Biotechnology is probably as old as civilization itself. Special methods of food preparation, such as developing drinks from fermenting wheat or fruit, or making cheese, were known in prehistoric times. In recent decades, this old science has seen...
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| Format: | Publication |
| Language: | English |
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Washington, DC: Global Environment Facility
2012
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2006/01/6875637/evaluation-gef-support-biosafety-2006-vol-2-2-evaluation-gef-support-biosafety-2006-main-report http://hdl.handle.net/10986/7034 |
| Summary: | Biotechnology is probably as old as
civilization itself. Special methods of food preparation,
such as developing drinks from fermenting wheat or fruit, or
making cheese, were known in prehistoric times. In recent
decades, this old science has seen dramatic new
developments. With the recent development of "new"
biotechnologies, such as living modified organisms (LMOs),
hope was raised that these would contribute greatly to an
increase in world agricultural production and thereby help
reduce hunger and diseases. However, the emergence of LMOs
has also led to concerns about potential harmful effects on
the environment and human health. These concerns were
addressed through the Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD), which provided a framework to negotiate the Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety, which regulates international
transfers of LMOs and aims to reduce risks for human health
and the environment. The Global Environment Facility (GEF)
is the designated financial mechanism for the Cartagena
Protocol. The GEF's initial financing of
capacity-building activities in biosafety began in 1997, but
increased considerably after the GEF Council's approval
in 2000 of the GEF's Initial Strategy for Assisting
Countries to Prepare for the Entry into Force of the
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Opposing voices were heard
regarding the GEF's support, which was-according to
these voices-"not neutral" but then either
perceived to be against the biotechnology industry or
against the opponents of this industry. Consequently, the
GEF Council at its November 2004 meeting requested the GEF
Evaluation Office to initiate an evaluation of the biosafety
activities financed under the GEF's Initial Strategy.
This report presents the results of this evaluation. |
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