Publications
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Publications
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| Genes are Gems: Reporting Agri-Biotechnology (A Sourcebook for Journalists) Published by :
Journalists follow news, and news follow interesting developments. In the area of science reporting, the growth of agri-biotechnology has been an important development in the last decade. It has also resulted in considerable media and public attention. However, much of this attention has been focused on the debate over genetically modified crops (GM crops) at the cost of many other promising agri-biotechnologies. Even within the reportage on GM crops, the focus has been more on the polemical debate for and against GM crops rather than the science of biotechnology. In this context, ICRISAT and ISAAA worked together to familiarize journalists on the science behind agri-biotechnology through a series of media workshops in Asia and West Africa between 2004 and 2006. Genes are Gems: Reporting Agri-biotechnology synthesizes the presentations, discussions and outputs from these media workshops. This sourcebook primarily provides insights to readers on the various biotechnological options in improving crop productivity and promoting sustainable agriculture in the dry tropics. At the same time, it also introduces journalists to the nuances of agri-biotechnology reporting and editing and leads them to additional sources of information on the technology. While journalists would find the sourcebook quite handy as a reference material, its multiplier effect through the media will ultimately lead to informed decisions and actions by policymakers and stakeholders. This sourcebook therefore opens the door for a greater impact of agri-biotechnology in improving the lives of poor farmers and agriculture as a whole in developing countries.
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International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)