July 3, 2008

GMO's Won't Solve Global Hunger . . . . Yet?

Not surprisingly, the buzz surrounding the global food crisis has died down a bit from the major media outlets.  However, if you can remember back a few weeks one of the consistent strains running throughout that buzz was the advocacy of genetically modified crops as a silver bullet for the global food crisis.  Silver bullets rarely exist for any of the the beastly problems that stalk the planet so I was "glad" to hear some GMO sanity coming from the Guardian last week and out of the mouth of the industry itself, at that:
Genetically modified crops will not solve the current food crisis, according to the head of one of the world's largest agricultural biotechnology companies.

Martin Taylor, chairman of Syngenta, said the current industry focus on farmers in rich countries meant it would take 20 years to launch crop varieties designed to address the problems of the developing world. He told the Guardian: "GM won't solve the food crisis, at least not in the short term."

His words appear to contradict statements from UK politicians, industry bodies and the European Commission that GM technology should be considered as a way to address chronic shortages and soaring prices of basic staples across the world.
 The problem is one I've mentioned several times before when it comes to agricultural development:  context.  What works in one place, one soil in this instance, doesn't always, in fact, rarely, works in another.  There are no silver seeds.  
Taylor told an agricultural conference in London this week that, because it was so expensive to win regulatory approval for a GM crop, the industry has been forced to focus on a few lucrative "blockbuster" varieties, which could be sold to western farmers but had "hardly any environmental benefits".

He called for looser, cheaper regulations that would allow companies to develop thousands of GM crops for smaller, more diverse markets, including those in poorer countries. But he said it would take up to 20 years for them to be developed and tested. Existing varieties, largely designed for the climate, chemicals and pests of the northern hemisphere, would be unsuitable.
Essentially, the big GM companies, Syngenta, Monsanto, BASF, function very similar to the big pharmaceuticals.  All the research and development money, and it takes a lot of it, goes into producing advances in crops/medicines that will be the most lucrative in their returns for the company.  And just like with pharmaceuticals the developing world gets the cold shoulder.

This isn't a post advocating for or against GM crops - philosophically, there is a lot that worries me, but I honestly haven't done the research on the science to say yea or nay - but one calling for some clarity in how we think about resolving the issue of global hunger.  GM crops may be part of the solution, they may have to be part of the solution, but even the possibility of that is a long way off.  And even if we want the option, who is ponying up for the research and development?  Odds are Monsanto's not waking up altruistic in the morning.  What are our short term solutions?  Do we have any?

13 comments:

Unknown said...


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HOW I GET CURE FROM MY HERPES said...

I has suffered for Human papillamvirus HPV) for 2years, I was given some tablets at the hospital but I refused to take it, They said I have to be on it for life so I don't want take a drugs everyday for life. No point in taking medicine everyday when u won't get cure from it and I was advice to seek for natural herbal cure, after some time I found DR OLIHA is the most trustful herbalist that have herbs to cure wicked symptom's,I emailed DR OLIHA for 2weeks been his patient he cured my (HPV) with his herbal. I only used his natural herbs for two weeks it was 100% cure. I'm not (HPV) patient anymore. I'm happy about it i finally got cured out of this mess been in my body for 2years. I also recommend you if you're living with (HPV) or herpes symptoms i also want you to be free contact DR OLIHA with the email attach to my post {oliha.miraclemedicine@gmail.com} you call or whats app his number on +2349038382931

jennifer queen said...

Hello everyone, I am here to share a testimony on how my HIV was cure by a herbal doctor with the help of herbal medicine and herbal soap, As we all know medically, there is no solution or cure for HIV and the cost for Medication is very expensive. Someone introduced me to a man (Native Medical Practitioner) I showed the man all my Tests and Results and I told him i have already diagnosed with HIV and have spent thousands of Money on medication. I said I will like to try him cause someone introduced me to him. He asked me sorts of questions and I answered him correctly. To cut the story short, He gave me some medicinal soaps and some herbs and he thought me how am going to use them all. At first I was skeptical but I just gave it a try. I was on his Medication for 2 weeks and I used all the soaps and herbs according to his prescription. That he will finish the rest himself. And I called him 3 days after, I arrived and I told him what is the next thing he said, he has been expecting my call. He told me to visit my doctor for another test. Honestly speaking, i never believe all he was saying until after the test when my doctor mention the statement that am, HIV negative and the doctor started asking me how come about the cure, And I make a promise to Dr. Aire that if I’m heal I will testify his good work in my life, if there is anyone out there who may need the help of Dr Aire you can call and WhatsApp him on:+2347036740271 or add him up on gmail:drairehome@gmail.com

Morgan Reed said...

I want to share a testimony of how Dr UDI herbal mixture cream saved me from shame and disgrace, my penis was a big problem to me as the size was really so embarrassing ,and i was also having weak erection problem i had so many relationship called off because of my situation, i have used so many product which i found online but none could offer me the help i searched for Which was very painful and then i saw some few testimonies about this herbal specialist called Dr UDI and decided to email him on so I gave his herbal product a try. i emailed him and he got back to me and we discussed, he gave me some comforting words and encouraged me also ans then gave me his herbal pills and cream for Penis Enlargement Within 1 week of it, i began to feel the enlargement of my penis, " and now it just 2 weeks of using his products my penis is about 10 inches longer and am so happy contact Dr UDI via (drudiherbalhome@gmail.com) Via whatapp on this number +2348051243538

ODUCKAYAMUD said...







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juwan james said...

Natural herbs have cured so many illness that drugs and injection cant cure. I've seen the great importance of natural herbs and the wonderful work they have done in people's lives. i read people's testimonies online on how they were cured of herpes, HIV, diabetics etc by Dr. ISHIAKU herbal medicine, so i decided to contact the doctor because i know nature has the power to heal anything. I was diagnosed with HIV for the past 7 years but Dr. ISHIAKU cured me with his herbs and i referred my aunt and her husband to him immediately because they were both suffering from herpes but to God be the glory, they were cured too .I know is hard to believe but am a living testimony. There is no harm trying herbs. He is also a spell caster, he cast spell to restore broken marriages and he cast good luck spells to prosper and excel in life. Contact Dr ISHIAKU on Whatsapp or call him +2348180828544 OR email him ISHIAKUHERBALCURE@GMAIL.COM

Kuq Ya said...

Hello all,
Why must we be confused by all this online scammers when we all know that there has never been any other oracle apart from the the great spell casters called lama lama oracle temple, The great oracle and also i my self called kuq ya that is greatest of all, Kuq ya means GREATEST AMONG ALL THE SPELL CASTERS. This oracle has been in existence for so many years even before i was born i inherited it from my great grand father. Since we have been existing we have never failed in solving any kind of problem anyone must have been having cos we know the spirits that we serve we never lets us down, We perform various sacrifice to this spirits from time to time to make our powerful and doings effective. This temple is out on the internet to tell all of you that is wasting your time and also your hard earned money dealing with all this hungry souls that called themselves spell casters by bring cause to themselves by claiming to be what they are not, We advise you all that you should stop it as it is not right to do such, Because those spell casters that called themselves different names / temples are scammers,You will do this greatest oracle good by doing that.They are scammers and all those testimony there are posted by them also and not the people they have help,They are doing all this to get money to fed there-self and there family members !!! BE WARNED ALL OF YOU THAT NEED HELP FROM SPELL CASTERS AS IT IS BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU WE HAVE DECIDED TO COME ONLINE TO REDUCE AND STOP ALL THIS FAKE SPELL CASTERS, AS WE GOT PERMISSION FROM THE FBI !!.. I have made so many of them online that are spoiling this great temple good work go back to the sea and some blind. I am Dr Kuq Ya the messenger to the great oracle of Nigeria,Indian,Indonesia,Singapore,UK,USA,Uganda,japan,Spain,Germany,Paris,Dubai,South Africa. To mention but a few..We are know well there as the great temple that has helped them get many of there ANCESTRAL problems solve in recent times. But we are also extending this great offer to those that have any kind of problem, when i mean any kind of problem i mean any problem at all you might be having in this life,Such as getting your lover back,you want to be rich, you feel like using charms on someone to get something you like from him or her or getting your scam many back, wining a lottery, to mention but a few. KUQ YA IS HERE FOR YOUR SERVICES AND PLEASE STOP DEALING WITH THOSE SO CALLED SPELL CASTERS THAT HAVE REALLY MESSED UP THIS WORK ONLINE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ONLINE,BUT THE PRESIDENTS OF THE ABOVE COUNTRIES CALLED ME ON PHONE AND ALSO PERSONALLY HOLD A MEETING AND THEY ASK ME THE MESSENGER TO START ADVERTING AND TELL ALL ABOUT THIS GREATEST ORACLE THAT IS SO DURABLE, PERFECT, MARVELOUS, AND GOOD WORKS TO AVOID THIS SCAMMING THAT IS GOING ON ONLINE. I WILL BE ENDING HERE NOW, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING BOTHERING YOUR MIND AND YOU NEED PERMANENT SOLUTION TO IT WITHOUT ANY SIDE EFFECT OR HARM, KINDLY SEND AN EMAIL TO THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS: great.spellcaster@yahoo.com Thanks and may the spirits guide you to read and understand what i said and also we will be awaiting response from you all that have problems that want it solve at once.Thanks for your patronage as you come. To enhance fast communication, Kindly send down your Name : Country: State: Address: More about the kind of help you want here: Phone number: Age: Gender : Job: and any other information's you know it will be so helpful on the kind of work and help you wish for here. Because we solve any kind of problem in this life. NOTE : MY GMAIL ACCOUNT IS NOW BAD AS YOU CAN ONLY GET ME ON THIS EMAIL : great.spellcaster@yahoo.com. So don't contact me via me gmail account. And also our spell casting here has no side effect, As it is just to grant you your heart desires without any problem.

Tamara Barrow said...

this is real take it serious, who will believe that a herb can cure ten
years HIV in my body, i never believe that this will work i have spend a
lot when getting drugs from the hospital to keep me healthy, what i was
waiting for is death because i was broke, one day i hard about this great
man who is well know of HIV and cancer cure, i decided to email him,
unknowingly to me that this will be the end of the HIV aids in my body, he
prepare the herb for me, and give me instruction on how to take it, at the
end of the two week, he told me to go to the hospital for a check up, and i
went, surprisingly after the test the doctor confirm me negative, i thought
it was a joke, i went to other hospital was also negative, then i took my
friend who was also HIV positive to the Dr voodoo after the treatment she
was also confirm negative . He also have the herb to cure cancer please i
want every one with this virus to be free, that is why am dropping his
email address, voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com
i want you to email him he is a great man. the government is also
interested in this Dr voodoo thank you for saving my life, and I promise I
will always testify for your good work you can also add him on whatsApp
+2348140120719

Anonymous said...

my ex left me to next door and i cried the hell out it make me live my life in trauma. everyday was no day for me i mean they pushed me to the wall with there love little did i know that he was enchanted with a very strong spell so my friend told me how she was helped through the help of doctor ekpen who she contacted online. So Dc ekpen helped me to get him back. And i was sick any time i saw them i couldn't  hold myself it burst my head open but all thanks to my very good friend of mine who introduced me to the man who can solve all problems. Dc  ekpen can solve so many problems cure hepatitis B and cord soul , HIV aid, herpes virus, Ex back, . penis & breast enlargement .cure cancer diabetes, kidney problem,  also cure for all kind diseases .contact him through +2348102454875, callwhatsapp or EMAIL  doctorekpen222@gmail.com

ben rita said...

5 years ago I had warts, I was treated with some liquid applied to the warts they continued to grow and spread... The next 2 doctors did laser surgery to remove them. 1 year after the surgery, they grew back close to where the 1st ones were' so I was finally told it was hpv. I have had it for very long time, I contract it from my cheated boyfriend and I found out he was also infected and I end up the relationship between us. the warts was so embarrasses because it started spreading all over I have be dealing with this things for very long time the last treatment I take was About 2 years ago I applied natural treatment from Dr onokun herbal cure, a week after applying the treatment all the warts was gone. it's now 2 years and some months I don't have single wart or any symptoms of hpv. wow"" it's great, Dr onokun has finally cured me. Anyone living with hpv contact Dr onokun for natural treatment.
His email address: dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com  

Mr Bentley said...

Hello greetings to everyone on this great forum today I am very happy to share my testimony with you all. Am Bentley from United Kingdom, am a part-time worker, this is a story of my love life. I have been married for 8 years and on the fifth year of my marriage, another had to take my lover away from me and my wife left me and the kids and I have to move on for 2years sometime my kids ask me about their mum and often times they ask of her they means me think of her so with that I decided to try and plead with her to come back but all was in vain until one faithful day i met a post where this traditional man called Dr Gikuyu have helped so many person's on serious issues and I decided to give him a try to help me bring my lover back home and believe me I just send a picture of mine to him and that of my wife and after 72hours as he has told me, I saw a car drove into the compound and behold she was my Wife, and She have come to me and the kids with a heart of apology and that is why I am happy to make everyone of you in a similar situation to meet with this great traditional man called Dr Gikuyu to help have your lover back to yourself. You can contact him through his following email address: [dr.gikuyusolutionhome@yahoo.com] Or [dr.gikuyusolutionhome@gmail.com] All thank to you Dr Gikuyu for what you have done in my relationship, and I am sure he will do the same to help all those in sure situation too.

Mr Bentley said...

Hello greetings to everyone on this great forum today I am very happy to share my testimony with you all. Am Bentley from United Kingdom, am a part-time worker, this is a story of my love life. I have been married for 8 years and on the fifth year of my marriage, another had to take my lover away from me and my wife left me and the kids and I have to move on for 2years sometime my kids ask me about their mum and often times they ask of her they means me think of her so with that I decided to try and plead with her to come back but all was in vain until one faithful day i met a post where this traditional man called Dr Gikuyu have helped so many person's on serious issues and I decided to give him a try to help me bring my lover back home and believe me I just send a picture of mine to him and that of my wife and after 72hours as he has told me, I saw a car drove into the compound and behold she was my Wife, and She have come to me and the kids with a heart of apology and that is why I am happy to make everyone of you in a similar situation to meet with this great traditional man called Dr Gikuyu to help have your lover back to yourself. You can contact him through his following email address: [dr.gikuyusolutionhome@yahoo.com] Or [dr.gikuyusolutionhome@gmail.com] All thank to you Dr Gikuyu for what you have done in my relationship, and I am sure he will do the same to help all those in sure situation too.

Tamara Barrow said...

Natural herbs have cured so many illness that drugs and injection cant
cure. I've seen the great importance of natural herbs and the wonderful
work they have done in people's lives. i read people's testimonies online
on how they were cured of herpes, HIV, diabetics etc by Dr. voodoo herbal
medicine, so i decided to contact the doctor because i know nature has the
power to heal anything. I was diagnosed with HIV for the past 7 years but
Dr. voodoo cured me with his herbs and i referred my aunt and her husband
to him immediately because they were both suffering from herpes but to God
be the glory, they were cured too .I know is hard to believe but am a
living testimony. There is no harm trying herbs. He is also a spell caster,
he cast spell to restore broken marriages and he cast good luck spells to
prosper and excel in life. Contact Dr voodoo on Whatsapp or call him
+2348140120719 OR email him voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com

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