This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 ROME 003648 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USAID FOR JOSETTE LEWIS 
USDA WASHDC FOR JUNE BLALOCK 
STATE FOR SCIENCE ADVISOR NEUREITER 
EB FOR A/S WAYNE, PDAS DONNELLY, DAS GADSDEN 
EB/TPP/ATT FOR PEREZ 
E FOR SHUB 
EUR/ERA FOR HEN-NIL 
OES FOR A/S TURNER, PDAS ROCK 
STATE PASS USTR FOR STROJE, NOVELLI 
STATE PASS USDA FOR APHIS:SMCCAMMON, USDA/FAS:BLUM 
USDA/OS/HEGWOOD 
STATE PASS FDA FOR EFLAMM 
NSC FOR EDSON 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A 
TAGS: AORC EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO IT FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO
SUBJECT:  DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SEEK EMPOWERMENT IN BIOTECH 
FROM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 
 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  DESCRIBING THEMSELVES AS BIOTECH INNOVATORS, 
RESEARCHERS FROM LARGE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (INDIA, BRAZIL, 
CHINA, THE PHILIPPINES, AND OTHERS) PARTICIPATING IN A JUNE 
24-27 WORKSHOP CO-SPONSORED BY THE U.N.'S FOOD AND 
AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO) AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ROME 
TOR VERGATA EMPHASIZED THEIR NEED FOR GREATER EMPOWERMENT IN 
IPR (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS) PROTECTION.  THE AIMS OF 
THE CONSULTATION WERE TO ANALYZE THE EFFECTS OF IPRS ON 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  03648  01 OF 06  240911Z 
BIOTECH IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD, DELINEATE APPROPRIATE 
POLICY OPTIONS TO MEET PRIORITY NEEDS WHILE RESPECTING 
INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS, IDENTIFY CAPACITY NEEDS, AND 
PRODUCE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION.  LARGE DEVELOPING 
COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES DID NOT IDEOLOGICALLY OPPOSE IPR OR 
GRUMBLE ABOUT MULTINATIONALS BUT, INSTEAD, SEIZED THE 
OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR EAGERNESS TO USE IP TO PROTECT 
THEIR OWN RESEARCH DEVELOPMENTS. IMPORTANT OUTCOMES WERE: 
-DEVELOPING COUNTRIES EMPHASIZED THE ROLE OF PUBLICLY FUNDED 
RESEARCH AND THE NEED TO SHAPE IPR REGIMES TO BE MORE 
AMENABLE TO PROTECTING AND COMMERCIALIZING PUBLIC SECTOR 
RESEARCH. 
-DEVELOPING COUNTRIES STRESSED THAT SCIENTISTS LACK BOTH 
ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE OF IPR AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHEN TO 
SEEK PATENT PROTECTION. 
-DEVELOPING COUNTRIES NOTED THAT FARMERS OFTEN PLAY A 
DRIVING ROLE IN DECIDING WHETHER TO ADOPT NEW TECHNOLOGY 
(SUCH AS GMOS) WHEN DECISIONS ARE STYMIED AT THE POLITICAL 
LEVEL. 
-EXTENSION (MOVING TECHNOLOGY FROM THE LABS TO THE NATIONAL 
AND LOCAL LEVELS) REMAINS A PROBLEM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. 
-DEVELOPING COUNTRIES EXPRESSED THEIR DESIRE TO PARTICIPATE 
IN PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS OF THE TYPE THAT MONSANTO AND 
SYNGENTA ARE FACILITATING.  SUCH PARTNERSHIPS FOCUS ON 
IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF CROPS THAT ARE LESS VALUABLE 
COMMERCIALLY BUT MORE IMPORTANT LOCALLY (SUCH AS PAPAYA AND 
CASSAVA) AND ENSURING THAT BIOTECH IS MADE AVAILABLE IN THE 
FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY. 
END SUMMARY 
 
THE RATIONALE AND GOALS OF THE CONSULTATION 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  03648  01 OF 06  240911Z 
-------------------------------------------- 
¶2.  THE FAO AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TOR VERGATA ROME ORGANIZED 
AND CO-SPONSORED THE WORKSHOP "PUBLIC AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH: 
THE IMPACT OF IPRS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES" 
FROM JUNE 24-27 IN ROME, ITALY.  THE WORKSHOP RATIONALE, AS 
EXPLAINED BY THE ORGANIZERS, STEMMED FROM THE INCREASE IN 
PROPRIETARY AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS THAT IS OCCURRING UNDER 
THE NEW FRAMEWORK OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT (THE WTO AGREEMENT 
ON TRADE-RELATED ASPECTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS). 
NOTING THAT THE TRIPS AGREEMENT GENERALLY AIMS TO REDUCE 
DISTORTIONS IN TRADE AND TO PROMOTE TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION 
AND TRANSFER, THE CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS STRESSED THAT IT IS 
IMPORTANT THAT THE ITS IMPLEMENTATION DOES NOT RESTRICT 
EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE FOOD INSECURITY.  ACCORDING TO THE FAO, 
GIVEN THAT CAPACITY AND PUBLIC INVESTMENT VARY SIGNIFICANTLY 
AMONG COUNTRIES AND THAT THE ADVANCED PRODUCTS BEING 
PRODUCED BY MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS ARE TARGETED TO THE 
COMMERCIAL FARMING SECTOR, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ACTION 
IS NEEDED TO FACILITATE PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN PRIVATE FIRMS 
AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD.  USG-FUNDED 
PARTICIPANTS WERE JUNE BLALOCK, THE COORDINATOR OF THE 
TECHNICAL LICENSING PROGRAM FOR THE USDA'S AGRICULTURAL 
RESEARCH SERVICE; ROSEMARY WOLSON, THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
MANAGER IN THE OFFICE OF INDUSTRY LIAISON AT THE UNIVERSITY 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ6389 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  03648  02 OF 06  240912Z 
ACTION EB-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AF-00    AGRE-00  AID-00   CEA-01   CIAE-00 
      COME-00  CTME-00  DODE-00  ITCE-00  DOTE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00 
      EAP-00   EXME-00  EUR-00   E-00     FAAE-00  UTED-00  VC-00 
      FRB-00   HHS-01   H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    ITC-01 
      LAB-01   L-00     VCE-00   AC-01    NEA-00   NSAE-00  OES-01 
      OIC-02   OMB-01   OPIC-01  ACE-00   SP-00    SSO-00   SS-00 
      STR-00   TEST-00  TRSE-00  USIE-00  SA-00    DRL-02   G-00 
      NFAT-00  SAS-00     /013W 
                  ------------------CF7DC8  240912Z /38 
P 240908Z JUL 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5057 
INFO USMISSION GENEVA 
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
AMCONSUL FLORENCE 
AMCONSUL MILAN 
AMCONSUL NAPLES 
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 
AMEMBASSY HARARE 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY MANILA 
AMEMBASSY MEXICO 
AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 
AMEMBASSY BEIJING 
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
USINT HAVANA 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  03648  02 OF 06  240912Z 
NSC WASHDC 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 06 ROME 003648 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USAID FOR JOSETTE LEWIS 
USDA WASHDC FOR JUNE BLALOCK 
STATE FOR SCIENCE ADVISOR NEUREITER 
EB FOR A/S WAYNE, PDAS DONNELLY, DAS GADSDEN 
EB/TPP/ATT FOR PEREZ 
E FOR SHUB 
EUR/ERA FOR HEN-NIL 
OES FOR A/S TURNER, PDAS ROCK 
STATE PASS USTR FOR STROJE, NOVELLI 
STATE PASS USDA FOR APHIS:SMCCAMMON, USDA/FAS:BLUM 
USDA/OS/HEGWOOD 
STATE PASS FDA FOR EFLAMM 
NSC FOR EDSON 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A 
TAGS: AORC EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO IT FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO
SUBJECT:  DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SEEK EMPOWERMENT IN BIOTECH 
FROM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 
 
OF CAPE TOWN; AND SITHOLE NIANG OF THE UNIVERSITY OF 
ZIMBABWE. 
 
SETTING THE SCENE:  OUTLINING NEEDS, CONSTRAINTS, AND 
OPPORTUNITIES 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
¶3.  DEVELOPING COUNTRY PRESENTERS INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES 
FROM ZIMBABWE, KENYA, INDIA, THE PHILIPPINES, CHINA, CUBA, 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  03648  02 OF 06  240912Z 
MEXICO, BRAZIL, AND ARGENTINA.  ACADEMICS AND RESEARCHERS 
WERE PRESENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TOR VERGATA, CORNELL 
UNIVERSITY, AND DODDS & ASSOCIATES, WHICH PRESENTED JOHN 
DODD'S STUDY "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN AGRICULTURE." 
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FAO, WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
ORGANIZATION (WIPO), THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR THE 
PROTECTION OF NEW VARIETIES OF PLANTS (UPOV), INTERNATIONAL 
SERVICE FOR NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (ISNAR), USDA, 
THE WORLD BANK, CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL 
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (CGIAR), THE INTERNATIONAL MAIZE AND 
WHEAT IMPROVEMENT CENTER (CIMMYT), THE ROCKEFELLER 
FOUNDATION, MONSANTO, AND SYNGENTA ALSO ATTENDED. 
 
¶4.  IPR CONSTRAINTS, NEEDS, AND OPPORTUNITIES OF PUBLIC 
SECTOR RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS WERE IDENTIFIED EARLY IN THE 
WORKSHOP.  A PRINCIPAL THEME OF DISCUSSION WAS TODAY'S HIGH 
RISK/LOW BENEFIT SITUATION THAT DISCOURAGES PUBLIC RESEARCH 
INSTITUTIONS FROM INVESTING IN BIOTECH OR PATENTING THEIR 
INNOVATIONS.  BARRIERS TO THE DIFFUSION OF AGRICULTURAL 
BIOTECH, IMPOSED BY BIOSAFETY CONCERNS IN BOTH INTERNAL AND 
EXPORT MARKETS AND HIGH REGULATION COSTS, CAN ACT AS 
BARRIERS TO PUBLIC BIOTECH RESEARCH.  INADEQUATE 
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY AND POLICY 
MAKERS CONTRIBUTES TO A MISUNDERSTANDING AND FEAR OF NEW 
TECHNOLOGIES, PROMPTING THE ADOPTION OF OVERLY CONSERVATIVE 
POLICY. 
 
¶5.  PARTICIPANTS NOTED THE LACK OF INCENTIVES OFFERED TO 
PUBLIC SECTOR SCIENTISTS FOR PATENTING THEIR INNOVATIONS. 
TODAY, PUBLISHED RESEARCH CONFERS MORE CAREER REWARDS THAN 
PATENTING.  TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION, SEVERAL PARTICIPANTS 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  03648  02 OF 06  240912Z 
SUGGESTED CREATING WAYS TO REWARD ENTREPRENEURS IN THE 
PUBLIC SECTOR, BY ENDOWING PATENTS WITH A PRESTIGE SIMILAR 
TO THAT OF HAVING WORK PUBLISHED OR BY REWARDING RESEARCHERS 
FINANCIALLY (RATHER THAN HAVING ALL PROFITS FUNNEL BACK INTO 
THE PUBLIC INSTITUTION). 
 
¶6.  INSUFFICIENT NATIONAL RESOURCES FOR RESEARCH AND 
INADEQUATE IPR CAPACITY WERE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED AS CENTRAL 
PROBLEMS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.  WHEN ADEQUATE CAPACITY 
EXISTS AT THE NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, THE CAPACITY 
TO MOVE TECHNOLOGY TO THE LOCAL LEVEL, WHERE IT CAN HELP 
SMALL FARMERS, IS OFTEN LACKING.  SPEAKERS REPRESENTING 
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND PRIVATE FIRMS (MONSANTO) EXPRESSED 
OPTIMISM ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS 
TO ADDRESS WIDE-RANGING NEEDS, BUT STRESSED THAT DONOR-BASED 
ASSISTANCE IS NOT THE FINAL SOLUTION SINCE IT IS 
UNSUSTAINABLE IN THE LONG TERM. 
 
WHAT EVERYONE WANTS:  THE COUNTRIES' PERSPECTIVES 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
AFRICA:  LOW CAPACITY, DISTRUST, CONCERN OVER SUSTAINABLITY 
OF BIOTECH INITIATIVES 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
¶7.  THE COMMENTARY FROM THE AFRICAN COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES, 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ6393 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  03648  03 OF 06  240912Z 
ACTION EB-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AF-00    AGRE-00  AID-00   CEA-01   CIAE-00 
      COME-00  CTME-00  DODE-00  ITCE-00  DOTE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00 
      EAP-00   EXME-00  EUR-00   E-00     FAAE-00  UTED-00  VC-00 
      FRB-00   HHS-01   H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    ITC-01 
      LAB-01   L-00     VCE-00   AC-01    NEA-00   NSAE-00  OES-01 
      OIC-02   OMB-01   OPIC-01  ACE-00   SP-00    SSO-00   SS-00 
      STR-00   TEST-00  TRSE-00  USIE-00  SA-00    DRL-02   G-00 
      NFAT-00  SAS-00     /013W 
                  ------------------CF7DD5  240912Z /38 
P 240908Z JUL 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5058 
INFO USMISSION GENEVA 
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
AMCONSUL FLORENCE 
AMCONSUL MILAN 
AMCONSUL NAPLES 
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 
AMEMBASSY HARARE 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY MANILA 
AMEMBASSY MEXICO 
AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 
AMEMBASSY BEIJING 
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
USINT HAVANA 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  03648  03 OF 06  240912Z 
NSC WASHDC 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 06 ROME 003648 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USAID FOR JOSETTE LEWIS 
USDA WASHDC FOR JUNE BLALOCK 
STATE FOR SCIENCE ADVISOR NEUREITER 
EB FOR A/S WAYNE, PDAS DONNELLY, DAS GADSDEN 
EB/TPP/ATT FOR PEREZ 
E FOR SHUB 
EUR/ERA FOR HEN-NIL 
OES FOR A/S TURNER, PDAS ROCK 
STATE PASS USTR FOR STROJE, NOVELLI 
STATE PASS USDA FOR APHIS:SMCCAMMON, USDA/FAS:BLUM 
USDA/OS/HEGWOOD 
STATE PASS FDA FOR EFLAMM 
NSC FOR EDSON 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A 
TAGS: AORC EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO IT FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO
SUBJECT:  DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SEEK EMPOWERMENT IN BIOTECH 
FROM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 
 
HANNINGTON ODAME, A RESEARCHER FOR THE AFRICAN CENTER FOR 
TECHNOLOGY STUDIES OF KENYA, AND DR. SITHOLE NIANG OF THE 
UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE, PLACED INADEQUATE IPR CAPACITY IN 
THE CONTEXT OF THE REGION'S LIMITED SCIENTIFIC RESOURCES AND 
SUSPICION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY.  IN THE CASE OF KENYA, ODAME 
COMMENTED ON ITS LOW CAPACITY IN RISK ASSESSMENT AND 
LAMENTED THE LACK OF EXTENSION, THE ABILITY TO MOVE 
TECHNOLOGY TO THE LOCAL LEVEL.  HE NOTED THAT THE MONSANTO 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  03648  03 OF 06  240912Z 
AND USAID PARTNERSHIP IN SWEET POTATO RESEARCH, DESPITE 
BEING CRITICIZED AS AN ATTEMPT TO OPEN UP THE MARKET, 
STIMULATED THE FORMATION OF NEW BIOTECH REGULATIONS.  HE 
EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE SUSTAINABILITY OF DONOR-FUNDED 
BIOTECH INITIATIVES, A WORRY THAT WOULD BE ECHOED BY THE 
ZIMBABWEAN REPRESENTATIVE. 
 
¶8.  DR. SITHOLE NIANG EXPLAINED HOW ZIMBABWE IS PLAGUED BY A 
BRAIN DRAIN AND NETWORKS BASED ON PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS 
RATHER THAN EXPERTISE.  PUBLIC AWARENESS OF BIOSAFETY ISSUES 
IS LACKING. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE RESEARCH INITIATIVES IN 
CASSAVA, MAIZE, AND OTHER CROPS OF INTEREST TO THE COUNTRY, 
THERE ARE "HUGE" LOBBIES AGAINST TRANSGENIC TECHNOLOGIES BY 
THE FORESTRY AND TOBACCO INDUSTRIES AND BY ENVIRONMENTAL 
GROUPS. SHE ATTRIBUTED HER COUNTRY'S RECENT REJECTION OF GM 
FOOD AID TO A LACK OF MILLING CAPACITY.  SHE SAID THAT THE 
ZIMBABWEAN GOVERNMENT REQUIRED GM GRAINS TO BE MILLED BEFORE 
DISTRIBUTION IN ORDER TO PREVENT FOOD AID RECIPIENTS FROM 
PLANTING THE SEEDS THEY RECEIVE.  THE GOVERNMENT REJECTED 
THE AID BECAUSE, IN THEORY, MILLING CAPACITY WAS 
INSUFFICIENT TO FULFILL THIS REQUIREMENT. 
 
INDIA:  BIODIVERSITY FOCUS, NEW INCENTIVES, REALISTIC GOALS 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
¶9.  S. R. RAO, THE INDIAN REPRESENTATIVE, STATED THAT 
BIOTECHNOLOGY PLUS BIODIVERSITY EQUALS ECONOMIC WEALTH BUT 
THAT SUFFICIENT INSTITUTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS MISSING TO 
SUM THE EQUATION.  SHE ARGUED THAT THE BENEFITS ACCRUED FROM 
PATENTING A NEW, GENETICALLY MODIFIED PLANT VARIETY SHOULD 
BE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE RESEARCHERS WHO PRODUCED IT AND THE 
FARMERS WHO HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN PREVIOUS GENERATIONS OF 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  03648  03 OF 06  240912Z 
TRADITIONAL BREEDING TO PRODUCE THE "BIOTECH" PROGENITOR. 
SHE ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE POSSIBILITY THAT A 
COUNTRY'S MICROORGANISM MIGHT BE PATENTED BY AN OUTSIDER, 
REQUIRING THE COUNTRY TO PAY ROYALTIES FOR THE USE OF ITS 
INDIGENOUS GENETIC MATERIAL.  ON A PRACTICAL NOTE, SHE 
COMMENTED THAT SCIENTISTS NEED TRAINING IN NEGOTIATION AND 
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WHAT IS PATENTABLE.  TODAY'S UNIVERSITY 
RESEARCH SYSTEM REWARDS SCIENTISTS FOR PUBLISHING WORK 
(LEAVING IT IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN) RATHER THAN PATENTING IT. 
TO INDUCE RESEARCHERS TO PATENT, IT IS NECESSARY TO INCREASE 
THE PRESTIGE OF PATENTS AND INCREASE THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS 
THAT THEY OFFER TO SCIENTISTS.  TO MAKE BIOTECH MORE 
AVAILABLE TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, SHE RECOMMENDED 
DIFFERENTIAL PRICING SCHEMES AND STRESSED THE NEED FOR 
EFFECTIVE HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT.  TO IMPROVE THE 
PUBLIC IMAGE OF BIOTECH, RESEARCHERS SHOULD AVOID OVER- 
HYPING NEW TECHNOLOGIES BEFORE THEY CAN BE RELEASED, 
INADVERTENTLY SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE TYPE OF 
DISAPPOINTMENT GENERATED BY THE YET UNMATERIALIZED PROMISES 
OF GOLDEN RICE.  AS REGARDS RESEARCH AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE 
PARTNERSHIPS, RAO COMMENTED THAT EFFORTS IN INDIA WERE BEING 
TARGETED TO ITS SPECIFIC NEEDS, SUCH AS DROUGHT AND SALINITY 
RESISTANCE AND NUTRITION.  BIOTECH INNOVATION IN INDIA DOES 
NOT SEEK TO REDUCE LABOR BECAUSE LABOR IS ABUNDANT. 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ6394 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  03648  04 OF 06  240913Z 
ACTION EB-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AF-00    AGRE-00  AID-00   CEA-01   CIAE-00 
      COME-00  CTME-00  DODE-00  ITCE-00  DOTE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00 
      EAP-00   EXME-00  EUR-00   E-00     FAAE-00  UTED-00  VC-00 
      FRB-00   HHS-01   H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    ITC-01 
      LAB-01   L-00     VCE-00   AC-01    NEA-00   NSAE-00  OES-01 
      OIC-02   OMB-01   OPIC-01  ACE-00   SP-00    SSO-00   SS-00 
      STR-00   TEST-00  TRSE-00  USIE-00  SA-00    DRL-02   G-00 
      NFAT-00  SAS-00     /013W 
                  ------------------CF7DDC  240913Z /38 
P 240908Z JUL 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5059 
INFO USMISSION GENEVA 
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
AMCONSUL FLORENCE 
AMCONSUL MILAN 
AMCONSUL NAPLES 
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 
AMEMBASSY HARARE 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY MANILA 
AMEMBASSY MEXICO 
AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 
AMEMBASSY BEIJING 
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
USINT HAVANA 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  03648  04 OF 06  240913Z 
NSC WASHDC 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 06 ROME 003648 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USAID FOR JOSETTE LEWIS 
USDA WASHDC FOR JUNE BLALOCK 
STATE FOR SCIENCE ADVISOR NEUREITER 
EB FOR A/S WAYNE, PDAS DONNELLY, DAS GADSDEN 
EB/TPP/ATT FOR PEREZ 
E FOR SHUB 
EUR/ERA FOR HEN-NIL 
OES FOR A/S TURNER, PDAS ROCK 
STATE PASS USTR FOR STROJE, NOVELLI 
STATE PASS USDA FOR APHIS:SMCCAMMON, USDA/FAS:BLUM 
USDA/OS/HEGWOOD 
STATE PASS FDA FOR EFLAMM 
NSC FOR EDSON 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A 
TAGS: AORC EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO IT FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO
SUBJECT:  DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SEEK EMPOWERMENT IN BIOTECH 
FROM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 
 
EAST ASIA:  HELPING IPR KEEP UP WITH RESEARCH 
--------------------------------------------- - 
¶10.  THE REPRESENTATIVES OF EAST ASIA DIFFERED SIGNIFICANTLY 
IN THEIR CONCERNS FROM THEIR SOUTH ASIAN AND AFRICAN 
COUNTERPARTS.  MAKING LITTLE ISSUE OF BIODIVERSITY CONCERNS, 
THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND CHINA FOCUSED ON 
THE NEED TO ADDRESS THEIR IP CONSTRAINTS FROM THE 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  03648  04 OF 06  240913Z 
PERSPECTIVE OF INNOVATORS.  IN THE PHILIPPINES, WHERE MOST 
OF THE RESEARCH IS BEING DONE IN UNIVERSITIES, TRAINING 
COURSES AND SEMINARS INCREASE IP AWARENESS, IP AUDITS ARE 
CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE TO ADDRESS UNRESOLVED 
IP ISSUES IN ON-GOING PROJECTS, AND ATTEMPTS ARE MADE TO 
ESTABLISH CLEAR COMMERCIALIZATION SCHEMES FOR RESEARCH- 
GENERATED IPS.  CHINA NOTED THAT IT IS DEVELOPING ONE OF THE 
LARGEST PUBLIC BIOTECH PROGRAMS IN THE WORLD AND IS SEEKING 
TO IMPROVE RESEARCH CAPACITY AND IMPROVE BIOTECH MANAGEMENT. 
 
LATIN AMERICA:  CUBA'S AMBITION, ILLEGAL PLANTING ELSEWHERE 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
¶11.  AMONG THE LATIN AMERICA PARTICIPANTS, CUBA'S PUBLIC 
BIOTECH RESEARCH PROGRAM STOOD OUT AS THE MOST AMBITIOUS 
(OR, AT THE LEAST, CARLOS BORROTO, CUBA'S REPRESENTATIVE, 
WAS THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT HIS COUNTRY'S PUBLIC 
RESEARCH SECTOR).  BORROTO EXPLAINED THAT BIOTECH RECEIVED 
HUGE GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT ($1 BILLION) AND TREATS THE 
DOMESTIC MARKET AS ITS FIRST PRIORITY, CONCENTRATING ON FOOD 
SECURITY AND SOME EXPORTS.  HE NOTED THAT, ALTHOUGH PATENTS 
WERE NOT SEEN AS A PRIORITY UP TO THE BEGINNING OF THE 
1990S, RESEARCHERS ARE NOW LOOKING AT THE WORLD PATENT 
SITUATION AND TRYING TO DESIGN PROJECTS THAT WILL FILL IN 
GAPS. 
 
¶12.  ALEJANDRO BLANCO-LABRA OF THE CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION Y 
DE ESTUDIOS AVANZADOS-IPN (CINVESTAV), THE MEXICAN 
REPRESENTATIVE, SKIRTED QUESTIONS ABOUT LEGISLATION THAT HAS 
OFFICIALLY BARRED BIOTECH RESEARCH IN MEXICO WITH THE 
COMMENT THAT HE HOPED THINGS WOULD SOON CHANGE. HE NOTED 
THAT FOREIGN COMPANIES MOST OFTEN TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  03648  04 OF 06  240913Z 
PATENT SYSTEM IN MEXICO.  ONLY FIVE PERCENT OF THE BIOTECH 
PATENTS ARE HELD BY MEXICANS, WHILE FIFTY PERCENT ARE HELD 
BY U.S. COMPANIES OR INDIVIDUALS.  HE ECHOED THE INDIAN 
REPRESENTATIVE'S COMMENT THAT RESEARCH INCENTIVES WERE 
ACADEMICALLY ORIENTED AND DID NOT REWARD TECHNOLOGY 
TRANSFER.  HE LISTED LACK OF VENTURE CAPITAL AS A CONSTRAINT 
TO BIOTECH RESEARCH.  COMMENT:  THIS STATEMENT REFLECTS A 
FREQUENTLY HEARD AND NAVE VIEW OF VENTURE CAPITALISTS, WHO 
ARE BLAMED FOR LACK OF INTERESTS IN MARKETS WHERE SCIENTIFIC 
INNOVATION IS RARELY TRANSFORMED TO PATENTABLE INVENTIONS. 
END COMMENT. 
 
¶13.  MARIA SAMPAIO, AN EXPERT FROM THE BRAZILIAN AGRICULTURE 
RESEARCH CORPORATION (EMBRAPA), COMMENTED THAT ITS PARTNERS 
IN GM RESEARCH HAVE BEEN MOSTLY THE SAME AS THOSE IN 
TRADITIONAL BREEDING METHODS AND NOTED THAT IT IS IMPORTANT 
THAT FUNDS GENERATED FROM BIOTECH GO BACK INTO THE RESEARCH 
PROCESS.  SHE CALLED FOR A EUROPEAN-DRIVEN REVIEW OF THE 
PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE AND NOTED THAT THE EU'S ATTEMPT TO 
SHIFT ITS VIEWS INTO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS COULD HAVE 
HIGHLY NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON COUNTRIES LIKE BRAZIL, WHERE 
FARMERS HAVE ILLEGALLY PLANTED GM CROPS WHOSE APPROVAL HAS 
BEEN HELD UP FOR POLITICAL REASONS.  BRAZILIAN FARMERS, 
BECAUSE THEY CAN SAVE 30-40 PERCENT IN PRODUCTION COSTS, 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ6396 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  03648  05 OF 06  240913Z 
ACTION EB-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AF-00    AGRE-00  AID-00   CEA-01   CIAE-00 
      COME-00  CTME-00  DODE-00  ITCE-00  DOTE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00 
      EAP-00   EXME-00  EUR-00   E-00     FAAE-00  UTED-00  VC-00 
      FRB-00   HHS-01   H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    ITC-01 
      LAB-01   L-00     VCE-00   AC-01    NEA-00   NSAE-00  OES-01 
      OIC-02   OMB-01   OPIC-01  ACE-00   SP-00    SSO-00   SS-00 
      STR-00   TEST-00  TRSE-00  USIE-00  SA-00    DRL-02   G-00 
      NFAT-00  SAS-00     /013W 
                  ------------------CF7DEA  240913Z /38 
P 240908Z JUL 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5060 
INFO USMISSION GENEVA 
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
AMCONSUL FLORENCE 
AMCONSUL MILAN 
AMCONSUL NAPLES 
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 
AMEMBASSY HARARE 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY MANILA 
AMEMBASSY MEXICO 
AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 
AMEMBASSY BEIJING 
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
USINT HAVANA 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  03648  05 OF 06  240913Z 
NSC WASHDC 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 06 ROME 003648 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USAID FOR JOSETTE LEWIS 
USDA WASHDC FOR JUNE BLALOCK 
STATE FOR SCIENCE ADVISOR NEUREITER 
EB FOR A/S WAYNE, PDAS DONNELLY, DAS GADSDEN 
EB/TPP/ATT FOR PEREZ 
E FOR SHUB 
EUR/ERA FOR HEN-NIL 
OES FOR A/S TURNER, PDAS ROCK 
STATE PASS USTR FOR STROJE, NOVELLI 
STATE PASS USDA FOR APHIS:SMCCAMMON, USDA/FAS:BLUM 
USDA/OS/HEGWOOD 
STATE PASS FDA FOR EFLAMM 
NSC FOR EDSON 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A 
TAGS: AORC EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO IT FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO
SUBJECT:  DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SEEK EMPOWERMENT IN BIOTECH 
FROM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 
 
HAVE BEEN PLANTING GM CROPS THAT BRAZIL HAS NOT YET 
APPROVED.  IN THE MID- TO LATE 1990S, THE BRAZILIAN 
GOVERNMENT AND MONSANTO WORKED TOGETHER TO ESTABLISH A FIVE- 
YEAR SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM TO MONITOR CROP RESEARCH IN THE 
FIELD.  ALTHOUGH THE BIOSAFETY COMMISSION HAS ALREADY 
APPROVED THE PROGRAM, POLITICAL DAWDLING HAS KEPT IT FROM 
GOING FORWARD.  ON THEIR PART, FARMERS HAVE NOT BOTHERED TO 
WAIT FOR THE POLITICAL GO-AHEAD AND HAVE, FOR FINANCIAL 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  03648  05 OF 06  240913Z 
REASONS, ADOPTED GM CROPS.  THE ARGENTINE NOTED THAT 
PLANTING OF SOYBEANS IN HIS COUNTRY WAS LIKEWISE DRIVEN BY 
THE ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS OF FARMERS. 
 
LENDING A HAND:  CORPORATIONS, DONOR AGENCIES, ETC. 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
¶14.  EXPERTS FROM CORPORATIONS, CONSULTATIVE GROUPS, AND 
DONOR AGENCIES ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE CONSULTATION. JUNE 
BLALOCK OF USDA SPOKE OF THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 
OFFICES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF IPR ISSUES THAT IMPACT 
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH. 
 
¶15.  REPRESENTATIVES FROM UPOV AND WIPO DISCUSSED THE ROLE 
THAT THEY PLAY IN ENABLING REGULATORY ENVIRONMENTS.  IN 
RESPONDING TO QUESTIONS REGARDING UPOV'S SUITABILITY FOR 
BIOTECH EVENTS, THE UPOV REPRESENTATIVE RESPONDED THAT THEY 
WERE WORKING ON RESOLVING APPARENT CONTRADICTIONS BETWEEN 
THE UPOV CONVENTION AND THE TRIPS AGREEMENT.  BILL LESSER OF 
CORNELL UNIVERSITY SPOKE ABOUT POLICY OPTIONS AT THE 
REGIONAL LEVEL, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM CGIAR DISCUSSED THE 
POTENTIAL ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 
CENTERS (IARCS) IN FACILITATING THE TRANSFER OF PROTECTED 
TECHNOLOGY. 
 
¶16.  SHAWN N. SULLIVAN, A LAWYER FOR THE CGIAR CENTER 
CYMMIT, SPOKE ABOUT HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IN DEVELOPING 
CYMMIT'S IPR FRAMEWORK.  HE NOTED THAT LEAVING TECHNOLOGY IN 
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN SERVES AS A DISINCENTIVE FOR ITS 
COMMERCIALIZATION BECAUSE COMPANIES WILL BE MORE INCLINED TO 
USE THEIR OWN PATENTED MATERIAL, EVEN IF IT IS INFERIOR.  AS 
A CONSEQUENCE, CYMMIT HAS DECIDED TO APPLY FOR IP PROTECTION 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  03648  05 OF 06  240913Z 
ON A STRATEGIC CASE-BY-CASE BASIS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT 
IPR CAN SERVE AS A BARGAINING CHIP WITH PRIVATE 
CORPORATIONS. 
 
¶17.  REPRESENTATIVES FROM MONSANTO AND SYNGENTA, TWO OF THE 
LARGEST MULTINATIONAL BIOTECH CORPORATIONS, SPOKE ABOUT 
DIFFERENT PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST 
THE DEVELOPING WORLD WITH BIOTECH INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY 
TRANSFER.  TOGETHER WITH PUBLICLY FUNDED INSTITUTIONS, THEY 
ARE WORKING ON CROPS AS DIVERSE AS CASSAVA, MUSTARD OIL, AND 
PAPAYA.  JILL MONTGOMERY, THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY 
COOPERATION AT MONSANTO, NOTED THAT THERE EXISTS A GOOD DEAL 
OF IGNORANCE REGARDING SUCH PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND 
SUGGESTED THAT SPREADING INFORMATION ABOUT THEM MIGHT HELP 
BIOTECH'S IMAGE. 
 
¶18.  PETER MATLON OF THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION PRESENTED 
TWO NEW INITIATIVES THAT HIS DONOR-AGENCY IS DEVELOPING: 
THE AFRICAN AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION (AATF) AND AN 
INITIATIVE TO CREATE A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR PUBLICLY HELD 
AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE U.S.  THE AATF, TO BE 
OPERATIVE BY EARLY 2003, HAS THE OBJECTIVE OF REDUCING FOOD 
INSECURITY BY FACILITATING THE DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER OF 
RELEVANT BIOTECHNOLOGY.  IN MEETINGS WITH THE "BIG FIVE" 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ6397 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  03648  06 OF 06  240913Z 
ACTION EB-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AF-00    AGRE-00  AID-00   CEA-01   CIAE-00 
      COME-00  CTME-00  DODE-00  ITCE-00  DOTE-00  WHA-00   SRPP-00 
      EAP-00   EXME-00  EUR-00   E-00     FAAE-00  UTED-00  VC-00 
      FRB-00   HHS-01   H-01     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    ITC-01 
      LAB-01   L-00     VCE-00   AC-01    NEA-00   NSAE-00  OES-01 
      OIC-02   OMB-01   OPIC-01  ACE-00   SP-00    SSO-00   SS-00 
      STR-00   TEST-00  TRSE-00  USIE-00  SA-00    DRL-02   G-00 
      NFAT-00  SAS-00     /013W 
                  ------------------CF7DF2  240913Z /38 
P 240908Z JUL 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5061 
INFO USMISSION GENEVA 
EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE 
AMCONSUL FLORENCE 
AMCONSUL MILAN 
AMCONSUL NAPLES 
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 
AMEMBASSY HARARE 
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
AMEMBASSY MANILA 
AMEMBASSY MEXICO 
AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 
AMEMBASSY BEIJING 
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
USINT HAVANA 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  03648  06 OF 06  240913Z 
NSC WASHDC 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 06 OF 06 ROME 003648 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USAID FOR JOSETTE LEWIS 
USDA WASHDC FOR JUNE BLALOCK 
STATE FOR SCIENCE ADVISOR NEUREITER 
EB FOR A/S WAYNE, PDAS DONNELLY, DAS GADSDEN 
EB/TPP/ATT FOR PEREZ 
E FOR SHUB 
EUR/ERA FOR HEN-NIL 
OES FOR A/S TURNER, PDAS ROCK 
STATE PASS USTR FOR STROJE, NOVELLI 
STATE PASS USDA FOR APHIS:SMCCAMMON, USDA/FAS:BLUM 
USDA/OS/HEGWOOD 
STATE PASS FDA FOR EFLAMM 
NSC FOR EDSON 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A 
TAGS: AORC EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO EAGR ETRD ECON TBIO IT FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO ITAORC FAO
SUBJECT:  DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SEEK EMPOWERMENT IN BIOTECH 
FROM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 
 
BIOTECH CORPORATIONS, ROCKEFELLER HAS FOUND THAT THESE 
COMPANIES ARE ANXIOUS TO SHARE IP FOR HUMANITARIAN PURPOSES 
SUBJECT TO INDUSTRY-DEFINED SAFEGUARDS.  AFRICAN DELEGATES, 
WHILE APPLAUDING THE PROGRAM, AGAIN RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT 
THE AATF'S SUSTAINABILITY. 
 
¶19. OTTAVIO JANNI(ITALY) OF THE MILAN BASED INSTITUTO DI 
RICERCA SULLA DINAMICA DEI SISTEMI ECONOMIC GAVE ONE OF THE 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  03648  06 OF 06  240913Z 
MORE DIVERGENT VIEWS ON IPR, STATING THAT, PARTICULARLY IN 
THE CONTEXT OF PHARMACEUTICALS, IPR WAS BEING USED TO 
HARVEST THE BIOLOGICAL PATRIMONY OF INDIGENOUS CULTURES. 
 
¶20. COMMENT: DEVELOPING COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES DID NOT 
REJECT IPR ON IDEOLOGICAL GROUNDS OR COMPLAIN ABOUT 
MULTINATIONALS (AS MIGHT HAVE BEEN EXPECTED).  INSTEAD, 
INDIA, BRAZIL, CUBA, AND OTHERS STAKED OUT THEIR GROUND AS 
POTENTIAL INNOVATORS AND SHOWED AN ENTHUSIASM TO USE IP TO 
PROTECT THEIR INNOVATIONS. WHILE THE DESIGN OF THE WORKSHOP 
(A GATHERING OF BIOTECH IPR EXPERTS) PROBABLY SELF-SELECTED 
PARTICIPANTS OF PRO-BIOTECH STANCE, THERE WERE MORE IPR 
INTERESTS IN COMMON BETWEEN THE LARGE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 
AND DEVELOPED COUNTRIES THAN DIFFERENCES.  GAPS, HOWEVER, 
WERE EVIDENT.  FOR EXAMPLE, PARTICIPANTS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT 
MANY OBSTACLES BEYOND IPR ISSUES PLAGUED DEVELOPING 
COUNTRIES' ACCESS TO BIOTECHNOLOGY.  THEY ACCENTUATED THE 
NEED FOR GREATER SCIENTIFIC PARTICIPATION IN POLICY MAKING 
AND NOTED THAT THE PLACEMENT OF BIOTECH REGULATORY BODIES 
(IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL, AGRICULTURAL, ETC. MINISTRY) HAS A 
SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE BIOTECH REGULATIONS THAT ARE 
ADOPTED.  REPRESENTATIVES FROM CUBA AND BRAZIL, AMONG 
OTHERS, COMMENTED THAT, EVEN WHEN BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS ARE 
DEEMED SAFE FOR DOMESTIC MARKETS, CONCERNS ABOUT BEING ABLE 
TO EXPORT PRODUCTS (PARTICULARLY TO EUROPE) PRECLUDE THEIR 
BEING POLITICALLY APPROVED.  IN THIS REGARD, CUBA POINTED 
OUT THE IRONY OF A EUROPEAN'S CONCERN THAT HIS CARCINOGENIC 
CIGAR MIGHT BE GENETICALLY MODIFIED.  ULTIMATELY, SEVERAL 
ATTENDEES ARGUED, THE CONSUMERS AND FARMERS WILL BE THE ONE 
TO CHOOSE WHETHER OR NOT TO ADOPT GENETICALLY MODIFIED 
CROPS.  END COMMENT 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  03648  06 OF 06  240913Z 
 
¶21.  THIS CABLE WAS PREPARED BY SCIENCE INTERN LEIGH SYLVAN. 
 
TAMLYN 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
> 
 2002ROME03648 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED