Publisher's Synopsis
Controversies on the use and conservation of plant genetic information have become major obstacles in international negotiations on trade, agriculture and biodiversity conservation. These conflicts are not just between the Northern and Southern governments about ownership and farmers' rights, but cover a whole range of interest groups such as business associations, farm and consumer organizations, environment-oriented NGOs and indigenous people. This book examines the origins of these controversies. It stresses the importance of agricultural politics in directing developments in conservation and intellectual property protection.
