Cloning for development
Kate Tighe
Issue date: 3/21/07 Section: KSG News
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On January 25 the BBC News Service published an op-ed by Professor Calestous Juma, Director of Science and Technology at the Belfer Center, arguing that developing nations need access to animal cloning technology.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently deemed cloned meat safe to eat. Juma viewed the announcement as a technological opportunity for developing countries. By enabling poorer countries to breed hardier livestock that are resistant to disease and the impact of climate change, Juma argues that animal cloning would ensure more stable food
supplies. Further, cloning may alleviate developing world farmers' reliance on hormones, antibiotics and chemicals, and could be used in the conservation of endangered species, he says.
Meanwhile, Juma estimates that about 60% of those who responded to his article disagreed with his argument. Respondents on the BBC website largely questioned whether the beneficiaries of the transfer of cloning technology would be developing countries or wealthy biotech companies.
Although Juma does not directly address these concerns in his op-ed, his work in the field explores using universities in developing countries to "domesticate technology." In other words, these schools would work in conjunction with technology companies to train local scientists and engineers who could initiate innovative, high tech projects in their communities, including animal cloning. Similar to other technologies, Juma argues that cloning could precipitate
development in other sectors and the overall economy.
Juma anticipated the critical reaction to his op-ed and says he
deliberately chose an audience that would include British environmentalists, who, by his estimation, are skeptical of western aid and genetically modified organisms.
"The editors [of the BBC] really liked it because I was putting a polemical piece to an audience that wouldn't necessarily agree," Juma said.
Juma's perspective on the use of animal cloning also comes through in his teaching.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently deemed cloned meat safe to eat. Juma viewed the announcement as a technological opportunity for developing countries. By enabling poorer countries to breed hardier livestock that are resistant to disease and the impact of climate change, Juma argues that animal cloning would ensure more stable food
supplies. Further, cloning may alleviate developing world farmers' reliance on hormones, antibiotics and chemicals, and could be used in the conservation of endangered species, he says.
Meanwhile, Juma estimates that about 60% of those who responded to his article disagreed with his argument. Respondents on the BBC website largely questioned whether the beneficiaries of the transfer of cloning technology would be developing countries or wealthy biotech companies.
Although Juma does not directly address these concerns in his op-ed, his work in the field explores using universities in developing countries to "domesticate technology." In other words, these schools would work in conjunction with technology companies to train local scientists and engineers who could initiate innovative, high tech projects in their communities, including animal cloning. Similar to other technologies, Juma argues that cloning could precipitate
development in other sectors and the overall economy.
Juma anticipated the critical reaction to his op-ed and says he
deliberately chose an audience that would include British environmentalists, who, by his estimation, are skeptical of western aid and genetically modified organisms.
"The editors [of the BBC] really liked it because I was putting a polemical piece to an audience that wouldn't necessarily agree," Juma said.
Juma's perspective on the use of animal cloning also comes through in his teaching.
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