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A Promise Or a Threat? a Theological Critique of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology with Particular Reference to Food Security and Sovereignty in Africa

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A Promise Or a Threat? a Theological Critique of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology with Particular Reference to Food Security and Sovereignty in Africa A PROMISE OR A THREAT? A THEOLOGICAL CRITIQUE OF GENETIC ENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO FOOD SECURITY AND SOVEREIGNTY IN AFRICA By SAMUEL MPELEKA CHINGONDOLE A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master's degree in theology and development in the faculty of human and management sciences, school of theology, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. SUPERVISOR: Dr. Steve de Gruchy (Director of the programme of theology and development). Pietermaritzburg, 2002. ABSTRACT Today, Africa has more countries with food security problems than any other region on the globe. Two-thirds of all countries suffering food insecurity are in Africa. Present trends would mean that the number ofchronically undernourished people in the Southern region ofAfrica would rise from 180 to 300 million by the year 2010. In this research, I note that in the face ofthis food or hunger crisis, particularly in Africa, some have argued that genetic engineering biotechnology promises to combat food insecurity. Opponents of the technology argue that, to the contrary, genetic engineering biotechnology undermines food security, food sovereignty and livelihoods on the continent. The technology is designed to block access to food and kill agricultural bio­ diversity, vest excessive, monopolistic and exclusive power in the hands of a few bio­ technologists and giant multinational corporations, and ultimately, create hunger and poverty in Africa and other developing countries by undermining organic and conventional means offarming. The thesis offers a critical theological assessment of the structural, ecological and socio­ economic effects of genetic engineering and biotechnology on agriculture, food production, food security and sovereignty in Africa against some core theological principles. The study, therefore, brings a careful critique to the growing area ofscience in its relationship to the current issues of food security and sovereignty. The theological framework provides a moral framework for analysis that can be applied in the debate about genetic engineering and biotechnology. In this thesis, I will ~.9nsistently demonstrate that opponents of the GE technology think that proponents of r-DNA technology are mostly driven by the intent to generate and maximize profits rather than a concern for the common well being, and the intent to control all the stages of agricultural production. The corporate control over essential agricultural resources such as seeds and food entails that multinational companies have control over fundamental human rights of access to healthy, safe and adequate food, nutrition, and ultimately to social and economic development itself. This, then, becomes an issue ofjustice and hence the concern of the churches and theologians. In this light, then, the study argues that issues offood security and sovereignty cannot be meaningfully and credibly pursued without taking adequate recognition of moral, ethical and theological insights. Such framework would guide scientific and GE technological activities. ii DECLARATION As required, I, Chingondole, Samuel Mpeleka, hereby declare that this thesis, unless specifically indicated in the text, is my original work. I further declare that I have not submitted this thesis for any other degree or examination at any other University or institution oflearning. Signature:_",~~-7""=-__"----=~--:"""':""----_~ February, 2003 Samuel Mpeleka Chingondole Signature: ""::O""_~{-- -Jc---\---I-__February, 2003 SUPERVISOR: Dr. Steve de Gruchy 111 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My most sincere and heartfelt thanks go especially to my thesis supervisor, Dr. Steve de Gruchy of the School of Theology, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, for his wise, untiring guidance and constant encouragement throughout my research. His professional supervision and constructive criticisms and suggestions have helped me, to a greater extent, to organize and write this thesis. My wife, Christine and beloved daughter, Gertrude have supported me throughout my time of research writing and revision. My thanks also go to close friends, more specifically, Fr. Stan Muyebe, a.p., for encouraging and supporting me throughout my research writing. I am also grateful to my mother in law, Mrs. T. Phiri, whose visiting us in the country created some space of time for me to write the thesis, since she took the responsibility of looking after our daughter for most of the time. My special thanks go to my parents, Chrissie and Paul for bringing me up, supporting and encouraging me in my studies right away from the early beginnings. I am also particularly thankful to the School ofTheology, at the University ofNatal, for its varied support. Lastly, but not least, I am very grateful to the Institute ofMissiology in Germany for their unforgettable and timely financial assistance towards my studies during the just ending 2002 academic year. You have made my studies possible. May the good Lord continue to bless you always. IV DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to the following people: My late dad -Paul, my living mother - Chrissie, my wife - Christine, my daughter -Gertrude, and all my brothers and only sister - Martha. These have been a source ofinspiration and encouragement, each in his or her special way. It is also dedicated to the hungry and the poor ofthe world. v TABLE OF CONTENT CONTENTS PAGE Abstract I Declaration III Acknowledgements IV Dedication V AN INTRODUCTORY OVERVIEW 1 0.1 The origin and motivation ofthe study 1 0.2 The Purpose ofthe study 2 0.2.1 The objectives and relevance ofthe study 2 0.2.2 The rationale ofthe study 3 0.3 The limitations ofthe study 4 0.4 Details ofthe study 5 0.4.1 The summary statement 5 0.4.2 A briefdescription ofthe problem 6 0.4.3 The main hypothesis ofthe study 8 0.4.4 Basic assumptions (sub-hypotheses) 9 0.4.5 Methodology ofthe study 10 0.4.5.1 Procedure 10 VI 0.4.5.2 Theoretical conception ofthe study 10 0.4.5.3 The structure and organization ofthe study 11 CHAPTER 1: A THEOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK: BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES CONSIDERED IMPORTANT IN THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY 13 1.0 Introduction 13 1.1 'The sanctity and integrity oflife' 13 1.2 Livelihoods: Economy and humanity 14 1.3 Justice and Equity 16 1.4 Truth-telling, transparency and accountability 18 1.5 Self-determination (freedom) and self-reliance 19 1.6 Food as fundamental to life and community building 22 1.7 Summary 24 CHAPTER 2: AN OVERVIEW OF GENETIC ENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, AND THE POLITICS OF FOOD SUPPLY 25 2.0 Introduction 25 2.1 An overview ofGenetic Engineering and Biotechnology 25 2.1.1 Modem Biotechnology 25 2.1.2 Genetic Engineering 27 2.1.3 The relationship ofGE technology to traditional biotechnology 30 2.1.4 Science, technology and power dynamics in society 31 vii 2.2 An Overview ofGMOs and the politics offood supply 35 2.2.1 Food safety 35 2.2.2 Food security 37 2.2.3 GMOs and the politics offood supply 38 2.2.4 Food sovereignty 41 2.3 Summary 43 CHAPTER 3: AN ASSESSMENT OF PROMISES AND THREATS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY TO AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY AND FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IN AFRICA 45 3.0 Introduction 45 3.1 The Promises ofGenetic Engineering and Biotechnology 46 3.1.1 Pest and Disease Resistance: Minimization ofthe Use offertilizers, agro-chemicals, insecticides and pesticides 46 3.1.2 Herbicide Resistance 48 3.1.3 Tolerance ofEnvironmental Stress 49 3.1.4 Improved Post-Harvest Life (shelf-life), Textures and Flavor 50 3.1.5 Adding value to plants and soil 51 3.2 The threats ofGE Biotechnology 53 3.2.1 Monopolistic and exclusive control and ownership ofgenetic resources by multinational corporations 53 3.2.2 Aggravation ofthe prosperity gap 54 Vlll 3.2.3 Further marginalisation ofwomen: women and food security 55 3.2.4 Health hazards, a loss ofbio-diversity and the precautionary principle 56 3.3 Summary 59 CHAPTER 4: GENERAL TRENDS IN THE IMPACT OF GE TECHNOLOGY ON FOOD PRODUCTION, FOOD SECURITY AND FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IN AFRICA 60 4.1 Introduction 60 4.1.1 Patents, privatization ofgenetic resources and Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights 60 4.1.2 Undermining offarmers' rights, food security, sovereignty and livelihoods 62 4.2 Trade and Genetically Modified Organisms: Market concentration, segmentation and power 65 4.3 Selected case studies ofAfrican countries rejecting and accepting GM food and crops 65 4.3.1 Selected case studies ofAfrican countries rejecting GM food and crops 66 4.3.1.1 Zambia 66 4.3.1.2 Zimbabwe 68 4.3.2 Selected case studies ofAfrican countries accepting GM food and crops 69 lX 4.3.2.1 Malawi 69 4.3.2.2 South Africa 70 4.5 Summary 71 CHAPTER 5: MORAL, ETHICAL AND THEOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS IN MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY 72 5.0 Introduction 72 5.1 Specific moral, ethical, and theological considerations and implications in r- DNA biotechnology 72 5.1.1 Risk and Safety 72 5.1.2 The Nature ofPlant and Animal Life Forms: Genetic Integrity and Respect for Bio-diversity 74 5.1.3 Patenting: Life is not an intellectual property, but God's property 75 5.1.4 Ethics ofaccountability, inter-relatedness and creativity 77 5.2 The Position ofChristian Bodies 77 5.2.1 The World Council ofChurches 78 5.2.2 Christian Aid 80 5.2.3 The South African Roman Catholic Bishops' Conference 82 5.3 Summary 83 x CHAPTER 6: OVERVIEW, STRATEGIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS 84 6.0 Introduction 84 6.1 Overview and critical remarks 84 6.2 Strategies and recommendations 86 6.2.1 Issues for governments and their policies 86 6.2.1.1 Conservation ofagricultural bio-diversity: A tool for long-term food security and sovereignty in Africa 86 6.2.2.2 Promotion oforganic means offood production to small scale farmers 87 6.2.2.3 Compulsory labeling ofGenetically Modified food and enforcing liability system 88 6.2.2 Issues ofconscientization and education 89 6.2.2.1 The decentralization ofpower 89 6.2.2.2 A shift ofparadigm: revisiting our understanding and definition of development 89 6.2.2.3 Increasing awareness of consumers 90 6.3 Summary 91 BffiLIOGRAPHY 92 (a) Published Sources 92 Cb) Unpublished Sources 99 (c) Web Sites 99 xi AN INTRODUCTORY OVERVIEW This thesis is divided into six chapters.
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