vote yes to gmo
The only reason the world is able to support the billions of people that it does is because of modern agriculture. Most of the potential gains from pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides have already been realized. I believe that the risks have been exaggerated and that the rewards are potentially immense.
Benefits of genetically modified food in Africa.
"Near Africa’s mighty Niger River, farmers are anxiously waiting for rain to fall before they sow millet or sorghum, then hoe, harvest, feed their families and replenish their granaries. Meanwhile, researchers in Japanese, Chinese, Philippine, European and U.S. laboratories are making strides in sequencing the 12 chromosomes and 50,000 genes composing rice, the matrix of all grains and a staple for three billion human beings. In five to ten years, they hope to know enough to genetically modify not only rice, but millet, sorghum, manioc and sugar cane as well. The aim is to make them “naturally” resistant to drought, soil salinity, viruses, blights and other scourges.
Will these genetically modified organisms (GMOs) really guarantee “food security” in the short term for the
world’s 826 million undernourished individuals?1 Will they help the small-scale farmers cultivating the Niger’s barren, powdery soil to feed their families? The controversy is raging. In its 2001 report, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says they will, emphasizing GMOs’ “unique potential” to feed the world.
In 50 years, the Earth’s population will have soared to nine billion— three billion more than today.2 And most of the newcomers will increase the already overwhelming pressure on the southern countries’ much-depleted soil. The alarm has already been sounded for sub-Saharan Africa where, unlike India and China, the population growth rate is still sky-high and the number of undernourished people is barely declining.
only a major, revolutionary “technological leap” will enable the planet to feed all its children."
Constructive criticism of anything, including GMOs, is a right no one should be denied. This is one of the hallmarks of civilization. Perfectionism is hard to achieve, even in scientific research. Scientists err, but in most cases not by commission. Our criticism, constructive criticism for that matter, of their work aids in the iteration of their innovations.
This, however, doesn’t seem to be the thrust of those opposed to GMOs. They’re only interested in fueling controversy and contradicting well-thought-out scientific innovations for selfish interests.
