Robert Paarlberg
Contents
Background
Robert Paarlberg is an American academic and author who lobbies for GM crops and foods.
Views
Paarlberg's book, Starved for Science: How Biotechnology Is Being Kept Out of Africa (Harvard University Press, March 2008), claims that poor African farmers are denied access to productive technologies, particularly GM seeds, which he says offer improved resistance to insects and drought.[1]
An article for Voice of America, "US Academic makes Fiery Argument for Africa to Embrace Biotechnology", quotes Paarlberg as making the same argument. He blames activists in rich countries for inadvertently denying "improved agricultural techniques" (read: GM) to millions of poor farmers in Africa. Paarlberg says there’s no “scientific evidence” of health risks posed by GMOs – ignoring the vast body of evidence that has accumulated showing such risks.[2]
As a result of what he brands a “misinformed” anti-GM movement, he says crops that could eventually allow Africa to feed itself are being kept out of the continent.
Biography
Robert Paarlberg is the Betty Freyhof Johnson Class of 1944 Professor of Political Science at Wellesley College and Associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. He received his B.A. in government from Carleton College in Minnesota and his Ph.D. in government from Harvard. He has served as visiting professor of government at Harvard, as a legislative aide in the U.S. Senate, and as an officer in the U.S. Naval Intelligence Command.[3]
Paarlberg's principal research interests are international agricultural and environmental policy.
Biographical Information
History
Current activities
Affiliations
Publications, Contact, Resources and Notes
Publications
Contact
- Address:
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- Website:
Resources
Notes
- ↑ "Robert Paarlberg", Wellesley College website, accessed January 2009
- ↑ Some such studies are referenced at "Genetically modified (GM) foods - renewed threat to Europe" banGMfood website, accessed January 2009.
- ↑ "Robert Paarlberg", Wellesley College website, accessed January 2009
