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Title: High-tech harvest Abstract: The film looks at genetically modified bananas in Uganda and GM cotton in South Africa. It hears the views of those who believe Africa’s problems of harsh weather conditions, explosive population growth and epidemics can be helped by the use of biotechnology. And others who think there are too many unknown risks attached to GMOs. Library of Congress subjects: Sociology subjects: Reviews and Numerical Ratings (2.5) Films uses many images and occasional dialogue to bring out arguments against and for promoting GM crops in Africa. The images are great; the sparse dialogue means that the video gives very little background to the issues. Thus course director or TAs would need to provide this background. There are many great websites on this topic, so it shouldn’t be difficult. Some directors and TAs might think that the film veers a little too much towards arguments about the benefits of GM crops, and again, some background knowledge would be important in order for teachers to assess and discuss these arguments. But in my view some of these ideas need to be taken seriously; in particular, I doubt many of our students and faculty know that some very high proportion of pesticides globally are used for cotton production, and that GM cotton crops can eliminate much of the harm caused to environment and the health of agricultural workers by reducing the need for pesticides. Of course, other might argue that the solution is organic cotton . . . . The video seems to be part of some environmental series sponsored by several UN organizations as well as the WWF, which likely accounts for its attempt to present both sides of the issue. Not a Greenpeace video! Peter Vandergeest (4) High-quality production looks at the issue of genetic modification in agriculture in Africa. Challenging because the issue is not simply the safety of GM foods, but also the desperate need for increased food production in a place where people are starving, making it a complicated social issue which should encourage some critical thinking and debate. More balanced presentation of the issues than you normally see in a film of this type. Only criticism is that it is a little overlong and runs out of steam towards the end, just showing the first _ might be enough. Steve LeDrew (3) This video highlights the debates concerning production and consumption of genetically-modified food. The documentary is produced objectively, for it examines the pros and cons of the debate in question. The video-makers extend the parameters of the debate by signaling the dependency that emerges as a result of using genetically modified seeds. Carlos Torres (undergraduate) (2) The big drawing point of this 47-minute video
is its reliance on African farmers and experts, who pose tough closing
questions about whether Western lobbyists should determine what happens
in Africa. The method of genetic modification and pluses of GM foods
are generally illustrated well. However, the “Africa cannot feed
itself but has a dramatically increasing population” argument
could be questioned (e.g., questions aren’t being raised about
Western consumption). Concerns about the hazards of GM are presented
vaguely: e.g., what if GM cotton lead to allergies in people who use
handkerchiefs made of it? What if this technology fell into the hands
of bioterrorists? These worries, without explanation provided, seem
kinda out there. Kathy Bischoping
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