ARE
GMOs
A SOLUTION TO THE WORLD FOOD PROBLEM ?
The proponents of genetic manipulation will claim that this technology
is the only possible way of saving the world from hunger, from which
an estimated 800 million people suffer.
Future generations of GMOs would provide the possibility to improve
agricultural performance, to have varieties available which are
resistant to harmful animals and diseases, to cultivate soil that
is not suitable for traditional varieties, and to spend less money
on insecticides and herbicides. In addition, they emphasise the
possibility of developing vitamin and protein rich foods, which
could remedy some of the food shortages in the world.
Others deeply question this optimistic talk. They are of the opinion
that the large multi-nationals, who own the research and the relevant
know-how, are simply not inclined to use this knowledge to meet
the needs of a (hardly profitable) survival agriculture.
According to them, the large multi-nationals are not investing sufficiently
in the development of seed that is suitable for this type of agriculture.
At present, GMOs have not solved the problem of malnutrition, for
quite to the contrary, the number of starving people continues to
increase. |
