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Abstract
Meeting the food needs of the world’s growing population while reducing poverty
and protecting the environment is a major global challenge. Genetically modified crops
appear to provide a promising option to deal with this challenge. However there is a need
to make strategic decisions on how to spend limited agricultural research funds in order
to achieve a maximum impact with regard to finding sustainable solutions to end hunger
and poverty. In international development institutions, there is growing interest in the
potential use of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as part of a research based
Environmental Management System (EMS) to promote mainstreaming of environmental
considerations in policy development. SEA was developed as an approach to integrate
environmental considerations at a policy level, where alternatives environmental policies
can be evaluated. In this paper, we propose using SEA in a policy research and priority
setting process regarding new technologies, taking the development of Genetically
Modified Organisms (GMOs) as an example. We propose that this method would be a
useful tool for the international agricultural research centers of the Consultative Group
for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), streamlining business processes,
strengthening accountability, sharpening the research agenda it supports, fostering
broader partnerships, and increasing the relevance and impact of CGIAR research in
achieving international development goals. Currently international law requires only
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) of specific biotechnology projects. The
incorporation of environmental considerations only at the level of specific projects
precludes the adoption of alternative environmental policies. In this review, we outline
an SEA approach currently being considered at the International Food Policy Research
Institute (IFPRI) for use in evaluating biotechnology policies. SEA may be a useful tool
to inform the evaluation of biotechnology policies and priorities by taking account of
information on the economic, social, and environmental benefits, cost and risks of
adopting those policies.