About the author

Henk Hobbelink was born in 1956 in the Netherlands. After receiving an M.Sc. in Agricultural Science and Entomology at the Agricultural University of Wageningen in 1982, he worked for two years in Amsterdam as Co-ordinator of the Agriculture in Developing Countries Programme of the Association for a New International Development Policy.

His lifelong interest in genetic diversity began with the research he conducted in 1978-79 on methods of biological pest control among small maize farmers in Peru. In 1984, he started working with the International Coalition for Development Action (ICDA) where he co-ordinated their Genetic Resources Programme. For the next five years he led this campaign, which grew to involve numerous NGOs and individuals in the struggle for the free exchange and proper conservation of genetic resources. He developed a special interest in, and knowledge of, the implications of the new biotechnologies for developing countries. In 1990, the ICDA Seeds Campaign became the separate and independent NGO, Genetic Resources Action International (GRAIN). Henk Hobbelink is its founder and first co-ordinator, as well as serving as co-editor of Seedling, its bi-monthly newsletter.

He is also the author of numerous articles, papers and reports on the subject of genetic resources and biotechnology, including New Hope or False Promise? Biotechnology and Third World Agriculture (1987), a booklet which has since been translated into eight different languages, including Japanese, Thai and Indonesian.