Gm Crops - Some Realism Please!

Genetically Modified Crops – Some Realism Please!

Genetically Modified (GM) crops are now coming into our daily lives more and more, with claims from many that range between ‘saving the world from hunger’ to causing mass sicknesses and deaths from yet unknown genetic mutations. And yet, I wonder how many people are aware that they are already consuming genetically modifies crops, although not through direct importation of the basic crops in their raw form. The world has a large shortage of soya, which is used in many food preparations, as it is a good source of protein and included in many processed foods. The majority of this soya comes from America where a significant proportion of this is grown from genetically modified seed. With the rise in the use of oilseed spreads instead of butter, there is a greater demand from processors for oilseed products and rapeseed oil is one of those that are in demand. Yet again a significant proportion of rapeseed oil is grown from genetically modified seed. As of 2009, there is a shortage of rice in developing countries and the sharp increases in rice prices have shown that the West is dominating the market prices. Many food research organisations are attempting to produce new or improved varieties that can be grown in various climatic conditions; although the results of their research will not be available to the general farming populace for many years. Given that sea levels are rising and that rice is mostly a delta crop dependent on clear water; rice production at low levels will be in crisis. There is no doubt the genetically modified crops will form a larger part of the global diet as, as has been stated many times, if the growing global population is to be fed, then basic crop production has to be improved and increased. With six billion people to feed now and with an expected ten billion by 2050 or before, food and potable water sources are going to be critical to meet the needs. However, amongst all of the hyperbole about genetically modified crops and the need to use these to achieve global food security, there seems to have been many factors left out of the equation. One: Most genetically modified crops have been developed by conglomerates and the seed produced by these conglomerates has been altered not only to include benefits in increased production but also to produce seed that is sterile; meaning that growers have to buy new seed every planting season and some companies demand a royalty on yields, as these new varieties have been patented. So, not only is the seed expensive, its product is sterile and farmers have to pay royalties. Due to the failure of governments’ to fund direct research and development in agricultural food crops, the commercial companies have a stranglehold on the seed banks and will continue to use these to generate profits, even considering the dire need to feed the most impoverished of people. Two: Most genetically modified crops require a high standard of husbandry to achieve maximum yields; including the use of inorganic fertilisers, chemical sprays and large volumes of water. Three: Most genetically modified crops demand good soil for maximum yield production and although western farmers do have a scientific approach to food crop production and maintain their soils in good condition; the majority of small and medium farmers in developing countries, where the food crops are needed, are poor at soil management and providing them with genetically modified seeds would be a waste of time, as yields would be low without the high level of management required.

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Added to this, governments have restricted funds for agricultural training and the farming population is now much older, with few younger people going into the industry. Four: Very little is known about the amount of soils suitable for farming in developing countries and international bodies and individual governments have failed to undertake soil mapping programmes to show where it would be possible to develop large-scale agricultural food production sites. Many still rely on maps produced during the 1950s for targeting agricultural development projects and yet, what was once good soil is now mostly barren. Although a large amount of the food produced is produced by medium and small-scale farmers, the amount of basic food required, will require large-scale sites and these are not available, without relocating many millions of people. In order to provide space to grow the amount of food required by 2050 and before, developers will require access to new land and this will surely cause many environmental problems. Any research in developing countries will show that most crop yield values are below the economic ‘break even’ level and now constitute cultural crops. Five: Global climate change is a fact and it is mostly due to natural events, as has been the case for millions of years. However, the human race has exacerbated the rate at which global climate change is occurring and although adjustments can be made as in the case of carbon emissions, the human race cannot alter the overall picture that some form of global climate change is occurring regardless of human occupation. Six: If, given a worst case scenario that some people may be affected by consuming genetically modified produce, is there a case to accept that this as may be possible and yet accept it as part of the cost of ensuring that the vast majority of the global population has sufficient food? In wars there is collateral damage from conflict and it is sadly accepted and generally taken as part of an eventual outcome. Seven: Food crop production has been changed to bio-fuel crop production, as these have demanded higher prices that food crop and thus, the amount of food produced has been reduced. Conclusion: Fact – A change in the global climate is happening. Fact - The global population is expanding and will reach a level whereby the food and potable water resources can no longer support the expanded population and this will lead to conflict. Fact – There is insufficient land resources of suitable quality to be able to provide the food resources required and new land will have to be opened to sustain the required production yields. Fact – The structure and fertility of most soils in many countries is now so poor that neither genetically modified nor organic crop production could be sustained. Fact – There are insufficient ground water resources available to be able to maintain sustainable crop production to meet the needs. Fact – There are insufficient practically trained experts available to put into effect the changes required in order to produce the amount of food necessary. Fact – No international organisation has sufficient funds to be able to make a significant change in the amount of food that needs to be produced. All of the above make an increase in use of genetically modified crops inevitable and although most of the seed banks are in the hands of commercial enterprises, the world will have to accept this; unless it is prepared to wrest the results of genetically modified research away from the conglomerates. During climate changes the dramatic droughts in Africa and Asia will continue, with southern Europe adding to the areas affected and as a consequence, famine will increase and the international governments will have to respond with food aid programmes, although there have been many chances in the past to assist with improved education in food production and soil management techniques and yet, the international bodies have [a] failed to discuss these fully in the past and [b] failed to implement serious development programmes that could, by now, have reduced the problems. Furthermore, the international bodies have failed to gather the funding required and have become reliant on raising funds for emergency food programmes.

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These bodies have also failed to take into account the fact of ‘relief dependency’ of recipient nations. There will therefore be many more emergency food aid programmes to come; taking funds away from food production improvement programmes. There is also the fear that the generosity of the people in the west to give to relief programmes will wane as more demands on this kindness are made. Much will depend on western governments setting aside extra funds for overseas development projects as part of their general funding policies. Of most interest to world food shortage concerns are the cereals (rice, wheat, maize, etc), oilseeds (rape, sunflower, etc), meat protein (fish, poultry and red meats) and vegetables and it is probable that the commercial seed producers are well advanced in developing high yielding varieties, using genetic modification methods. A side effect of food shortages will be migration to urban areas in developing countries and this will put great pressure on the budgets of local governments’ in providing the basic amenities in health care, education and general services.

twofer ‐ 

October

2009 

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