The Irrational Fear of GM Food Billions of People Have Eaten Genetically Modified Food Over the Past Two Decades

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013 The Irrational Fear of GM Food Billions of people have eaten genetically modified food over the past two decades. Not one problem has been found. By MARC VAN MONTAGU ARMERS can now produce more crops approach that combines the best features of companies and large research entities can afford in an environmentally sustainable way traditional farming with the latest technology. to comply with the rules. Smaller enterprises Fat a lower cost thanks to the efforts Biotechnology offers an unparalleled safety in developing countries are ultimately hurt of hundreds of scientists over the past half- record and demonstrated commercial success. much more than large conglomerates. century. Seeds are developed in a laboratory Remarkably, however, biotechnology might Anyone who cares about alleviating hunger and then field tested to enhance nutritional not reach its full potential. In part, that’s because and protecting the environment should work value or resistance to drought, disease and outspoken opponents of GM crops in the U.S. quickly to remove the bias against GM crops. herbicides. Genetically modified crops are now have spearheaded a “labeling” movement that A good first step is for educated, scientifically planted on nearly a quarter of the world’s farm would distinguish modified food from other literate people to avoid being taken in by land by some 17.3 million farmers. More than food on grocery store shelves. Never mind the myths about genetically modified food. 90% of those farmers are smallholders who that 60%-70% of processed food on the market These innovations have too much potential to harvest a few acres in developing countries. contains genetically modified ingredients. empower individuals and feed the world to be Society, the economy and the environment In much of Europe, farmers are barred from thwarted by falsehoods and fear-mongering. have benefited enormously from GM crops. India growing genetically modified crops. Even has flipped from cotton importer to exporter in Africa, anti-biotechnology sentiment has Dr. Van Montagu is founder and chairman because of insect-resistant cotton. Herbicide- blocked its application. In Zambia, for example, of the Institute of Plant Biotechnology tolerant GM crops have stimulated no-tillage the government refused donations of GM Outreach at Ghent University in Belgium. He is the farming, reducing soil erosion and greenhouse corn in 2002, even as its people starved. co-recipient of the 2013 World Food Prize, along with gas emissions. Insect-resistant GM crops have Opponents of GM crops have been extremely Dr. Mary-Dell Chilton of Syngenta Biotechnology cut insecticide sprayings by more than 25%—and effective at spreading misinformation. GM crops and Dr. Robert T. Fraley of Monsanto. as much as sevenfold in some parts of India. In don’t, as one discredited study claimed recently, developing countries, GM crops have helped cause cancer or other diseases. GM cotton isn’t ensure food security and bolster incomes responsible for suicides among Indian farmers—a for farmers, allowing parents to focus more 2008 study by an alliance of 64 governments resources on other priorities, such aws educating and nongovernmental organizations debunked their children. that myth completely. And GM crops don’t Such remarkable achievements are only harm bees or monarch butterflies. the beginning. Dozens of better GM crops are In fact, people have consumed billions of in the pipeline from companies, universities meals containing GM foods in the 17 years since and public agencies around the world. Crops they were first commercialized, and not one in development include virus-resistant problem has been documented. This comes as no cassava, a starchy root otherwise known surprise. Every respected scientific organization as tapioca; nutritionally enriched rice that that has studied GM crops—the American can help prevent blindness and early death Medical Association, the National Academy of among children; nitrogen-efficient crops that Sciences and the World Health Organization, reduce fertilizer runoff; and many more. among others—has found GM crops both safe These crops will continue to reduce hunger for humans and positive for the environment. by bringing more bountiful and nutritious As a plant scientist, neither I nor my fellow harvests. They will also help the environment 2013 World Food Prize laureates, Dr. Mary-Dell by mitigating the impact of agriculture by Chilton and Dr. Robert T. Fraley, anticipated conserving our precious, finite supply of fresh the resistance to genetic modification and water; freeing up land for other uses, like biotechnology. After all, nearly everything carbon-absorbing forests; preserving topsoil; humans have eaten though the millennia has and reducing the use of insecticides and been genetically altered by human intervention. herbicides, thereby enhancing biodiversity. Mankind has been breeding crops—and These advancements are particularly timely thereby genetically altering them—since given the environmental and demographic the dawn of agriculture. Today’s techniques state of the 21st century. Between now and 2050, for modifying plants are simply new, high- global population will rise by about one-third, to precision methods for doing the same. 9.6 billion from 7.2 billion, reducing arable land Resistance to biotechnology seems all per capita. Almost all of that population growth the more unbelievable considering that will occur in the developing world, where much of it comes from the same thoughtful about 870 million people are already suffering people who tend to dismiss climate-change from hunger and malnutrition, according skeptics as “anti-science.” It seems to me to the United Nations Food and Agriculture that much of the resistance to GM foods isn’t Organization. And 100% of it will happen during based on science, but may be ideological a period of greater climate volatility, which may and political, based on fears of “corporate place dramatic new stresses on agriculture. profiteering” and “Western colonialism.” The question of how to nourish two billion To note one irony: The extreme opposition to more people in a changing climate will prove genetic modification has led to hyper-regulation one of the greatest challenges in human history. of GM crops, which has raised the cost of To meet it, we should embrace an agricultural bringing them to market. Now only multinational Article reprinted with the permission of Dr. Marc Van Montagu.

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