AGRICULTURE
REPORT - Calls for a 'Gene Revolution'
By Mario Ritter
This is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.
There are sixty-eight million hectares of genetically
engineered crops. This is about five percent of all cropland in the
world, and expanding. But debate over how best to use this biological
technology continues.
Experts compare the rise of biotechnology to the period
of change in the nineteen-sixties and seventies. The Green Revolution
produced the modern systems and chemicals of agriculture. Productivity
increased in many countries.
Today, the United Nations and others are calling for
a Gene Revolution. Experts say the world must find new ways to fight
hunger and feed its growing population.
But, unlike the Green Revolution, biotechnology has
been supported mainly by private investment. Businesses are unwilling
to share trade secrets with countries that do not recognize their property
rights. Companies also want to earn a profit, so they develop crops
for large markets.
Ninety-nine percent of genetically engineered crops
are either soybeans, corn, cotton or canola. The U.N. Food and Agriculture
Organization says little research has been done on food crops like wheat,
rice, potatoes and cassava. An F.A.O. report last month expressed concern
that biotechnology is not helping developing nations.
Six countries grew ninety-nine percent of all biotech
crops last year: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, South Africa and
the United States. Almost all these crops have special genes to resist
damage by insects or by chemicals used to kill unwanted plants. The
F.A.O. says there is little research on biotech plants that could resist
crop failure in poor countries, or provide extra vitamins.
Director-General Jacques Diouf says scientists generally
agree that foods made from genetically engineered crops are safe to
eat. But he adds that little is known about their long-term effects.
He also says there is less scientific agreement on the environmental
effects, so each product must be carefully observed.
Public opinion is a big issue in the debate. Opponents
say there may be unknown health dangers. Some poor nations have refused
any food aid that contains genetically engineered products.
Yet the industry has had some successes recently.
Last month the European Union ended a six-year suspension of approval
for new biotech foods. And Brazil has been moving to let farmers plant
genetically engineered soybeans.
This VOA Special English Agriculture Report was written
by Mario Ritter. This is Steve Ember.
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