UNDER DEVELOPMENT
Issues to be covered: importance of
domestic production/self-sufficiency vs imports/exports, the role of plant
breeding, international trade issues between LDC'S/MDC's, food aid, use of
GM crops by small-holders, pirating of GM crops - why and who benefits.
Pew Initiative releases new
issue brief on world hunger and biotechnology
3 March 2004 The role of agricultural biotechnology in
addressing world hunger has been an important part of the global debate
about genetically modified (GM) crops since they were introduced in the
mid-1990s. Some believe that biotech crops are an important part of the
solution to world hunger while others take the position that biotech crops
will have little impact. To provide a better understanding of these
respective points of view, the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
has released an issue brief which summarizes the arguments made on both
sides of the debate. The brief, titled “Feeding the World: A Look at
Biotechnology and World Hunger,” examines both the potential for
agricultural biotechnology to boost food production and quality for poor
farmers in developing countries as well as some of the possible concerns
about and limitations of agricultural biotechnology. While not a
comprehensive review of all pertinent factors contributing to the problem
of global hunger, the brief illuminates key policy issues relevant to the
discussion.
The new issue brief provides an overview of:
- The constraints to further increases in food
production in developing nations.
- The status of GM crops worldwide and the role of
conventional breeding in international food development.
- The potential benefits of genetic engineering to
increase food production; reduce crop losses from disease, insects and
drought; and improve the nutritional content of traditional foods.
- The unique perspective developing countries have on
the potential environmental and food safety risks of GM crops.
- The risk management and socioeconomic issues that GM
crops present for developing countries.
The full issue brief can be viewed at
http://pewagbiotech.org/resources/issuebriefs/feedtheworld.pdf
For more information contact:
Kim Brooks (202)-347-9044 ext. 230, or Dan DiFonzo (202)-347-9044 ext. 231
Agricutural Biotechnology
Support Project II
The developing world can benefit from
advances in biotechnology, but much needs to be done to make
bio-engineered products available in forms that farmers can use.
ABSPII believes that farmers and consumers worldwide should have the
opportunity to make informed choices about using bio-engineered products.
Our consortium will support the development
of expertise in our
target countries in the areas of research, policy development,
licensing, and outreach, to help reduce poverty and hunger through
agricultural biotechnology.
