While discussing examples specific to GMOs and other agriculture technology, this paper addresses the broader question: are public-private partnerships (PPPs) simply a new development fad or a promising approach to achieving advances for the poor?

The article points out that while public-private partnerships are not essential to harnessing new technologies for the poor, private companies tend to have better equipment and facilities than the public sector, and the private sector controls some important intellectual property. The work will go much faster and the results will likely be more powerful if the private sector is involved.