Genetic Modification
I was researching for an idea that I wanted to post on revenue from illegal substances, when I came across this article. WOW!! The columbians are an advanced nation! They have genetic engineering techniques!!
I wonder how much the Japanese government spent on "Overseas Development" in the form of "technology transfer" last year.....
Hmmm. I wonder.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
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DWR you sound like you know something we do not do not regarding this topic. What is it?
well, many "Developed" countries like Japan and the US have been lending money and buidling infrastructure in poorer countries to help them "develop". Basically this is a ploy by us to keep migrant workers/immigrants at bay by trying to get the poorer countries to be "industry friendly" so that multinationals can go and build our manufacturing base there, use cheap labour, make stuff cheaper, and sell it to us for the same price -- thus increasing profit margins.
We also give a lot of "Overseas Development Aid" to countries like Turkey, Uzbekistan, etc. where "if" Shell were to develop an oil pipe line, it would be safe coz the people there are not "that" poor, and there won't be too much political unrest; you don't want a situation like Nigeria during the Gen. Abacha years, right?
Anyway, getting back to genetic engineering. The US has a huge "issue" with cocaine coming mainly from Columbia, so instead of lending money or build roads, sometimes overseas development comes in the form of technology transfer. i.e. teach them how to teach themselves. I need to do more research on exactly how much the US spent on technology transfer in Central America, but I suspect that the US government has been providing technology to the Colombians on how to improve their "agribusiness" by helping them to increase their "crop" yield -- for things like grain and corn. Japan's ODA program has been doing this in places like Africa for a while now, just to win brownie points so that we can have a permanent seat at the UN security council...
Am I being a bit cynical today?
(I used to work for an engineering consulting company that used to do "overseas development work" for JICA, World Bank, etc.)
There you go, just another face you just discovered about me. :)
But it would be interesting to dig deaper into the truth behind "overseas development aid" and "sustainable development". (must make a note in my little ideas book)
You do bring up many good facts there DWR. I am aware that the US does things as you say, but like you I have no idea as to the extent of it. However I do know that we help third world countries only enough so that they will not become a developing country. Reason being devloping countries become devloped countries like the ones you and I live in and since that would eventually lead to more competition in the World market (Which some companies feel is already to competitive to enter). And as you and I both know that would lead to lower sales and thus lower P.M. Not the ideal situaion for any Capitalistic society, too bad too. I know you already know everything I just stated, and even touched on it in your post, but I find it outragious and just wanted to let it out.
There needs to be some ethical laws applied to the world, especially in the business sense. How long can countries like the US take advantage of thrid wrold contries. How would any child in the us feel if their parents worked in a sweat shop all day just so that the family can buy another stale ass loaf of bread? I know that there is not many children in the US that would like that, and I know there is not many adults in the US that would like it either. So I quesiton what ever happened to the Golden rule? Why is America and other European, and Asian countries living by Machivellian laws (do unto others before they do unto you.) Our societies will some day pay for our treatment of other countries. Karma will make sure of that. I am scared.
Here's somethin' scary for ya:
http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/1322.html
Haven't cross-checked it, but it sounds about right for Monsanto - they've gone and sued farmers that had fields adjacent to theirs where Monsanto-patented hybrids had been grown. Since the hybrids 'would not cross polinate' with standard crops, the adjacent farmers 'must' have illegally obtained their seed... Annoying and greedy, not to mentioned extremely short sighted, as even their money-grubbing shareholders still have to live on this planet, too. So they haven't realized that total lifecycle costing needs to include effects on them, too.
Also of note on the use of external subsidies by developed nations. Subsidies discourage development of skill bases from which competitive industry emerges (think Italian ceramic tiles or the auto industry first in the US, then in Japan). The capabilities to grow and excel for the industry are best when a concentration of skills and capital emerge in one area, forcing divesture of poor competitors and huges races down the efficiency curves. Bad for any particular competitor, but very good for the consumer and product (or offering) on the whole. So, what happens when you, say, 'give' a developing country 100 tons of corn and 1,000,000 gallons of soy bean oil? Let's just say that local corn farmers and cooking oil producers don't fare well. Every time this happens, you effective kill all adjacent industries (anything with offerings that can be substituted with the 'free' aid). Works as an effective contraceptive for areas that might 'breed' a competitive industrial base, non?
Anonymous, C, I totally agree with you there on that one. One addendum tho. The world bank, Grant Aid programs, etc. -- regardless of whatever country -- do not "give" money away for free. They "loan" money at a very "competitive" interest rate, thus supporting your views on keeping the "developing nations" on an eternal path of "development" - just like those living in damnation in Dante's visit to the underworld....
Why does this happen??
Nothing in this world is free...
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