‘GM’ or not? – on options
There are pertinent issues on GM foods to highlight- which first really seize my attention in conferences I attended in Shanghai and Ningbo-Hangzhou province China, on food security, some years ago. Where the world’s population is increasing significantly each decade, options for increased food production also has to be noted. The industry is estimated to have accounted for over $116 billion, between 2006 to 2012 globally.
Out of question- is allowing downsizing of numbers by deliberately prolonging conflicts through non-interventions or inactivity by responsible actors, or enacting restrictive and forceful child birth policies. The issues would include whether it’s a nutritive alternative to existing food crops? Does increased GM foods sold in commercial quantities maximise profits at the expense of local farmers? How do we ascertain if there are long-term side effects of consumption? Should we rather focus on redistribution and reducing wastage to tackle hunger epidemics? For MNCs acquiring lands to farm GM crops, are they extending a neo-colonial enterprise through acquiring vast lands or investing well-meaningly in developing value-adding mechanics at the sites of exploration? Is there a reciprocal policy in place- mutually benefiting plans for farmers and investors, researchers and regulating bodies? Shouldn’t we be looking at owning the challenge as a community and empowering grass root entrepreneurs rather than only consolidating major stakeholders- a bottom-up consideration?
And perhaps, not least, or inconsequential, how about investing in scientific research for developing preservation techniques so harvest could be stored for longer periods and for the ‘rainy day’? Chen Zhang, Robert Wohlhueter, Han Zhang in their recent article write- “Drawing from past experience it seems unlikely the technological momentum toward genetically modified foods can be stopped dead in its tracks. Or should be. The immediate advantages are too tangible to ignore or set aside out of fear of the unknown and unintended disadvantages”.
How we approach these areas of concern will vary, but strategic and meaningful thoughts I think can be raised, as the effects are far-reaching.
Source(s): Chen Zhang, Robert Wohlhueter, Han Zhang, “Genetically modified foods: A critical review of their promise and problems” (2016) 5(3) Food Science and Human Wellness 116-123; WHO, “Frequently asked questions on genetically modified foods” May 2014 <http://www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/food-technology/faq-genetically-modified-food/en/>; Marc Gunther, “Why NGOs can’t be trusted on GMOs” July 16, 2014 <https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/jul/16/ngos-nonprofits-gmos-genetically-modified-foods-biotech>