Advantages of Genetically Modified Foods

Since commercial introduction of genetically modified food in 1996, much progress has been made. More and more hectares of land are now under genetically modified (GM) crops. And the area continues to balloon year after year. The once upon a time poor farmers are smiling all the way to the bank. They can feed and educate their families and afford many luxuries that were a dream before.
Cultivating GM crops has proved economically viable than any other form of farming. Scientific evidence attests to GM crop’s resilience to drought and diseases, the twin major sources of poor crop yields all over the world. And most importantly, GM crops continue to meet nutritional needs of hitherto malnourished populations. Surely, a long journey starts with a single step.
This is not hype. Studies after studies continue to document gains of GM crops cultivation. Lately, two renowned British economists have come to confirm what the world already know about benefits of genetically modified food. Graham Brookes and Peter Barfoot, of PG Economics Ltd., UK, in their report, GM Crops: The Global Economic and Environmental Impact-The First Nine Years 1996-2004, documents tremendous gains that GM food has made for the past ten years. They note that there have been substantial economic benefits of GM food to the tune of $27 billion. What a great feat!
“GM technology has also resulted in 172,000 tonnes less pesticide use by growers and 14 per cent reduction in the environmental footprint associated with pesticide use,” the report notes.
GM crops have also made significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 10 million tonnes. This is equivalent to removing five million cars from the road every year. Did you know this? One may wonder why architects of the Kyoto protocol have failed to factor in the contribution of GM crops in greenhouse emissions. May be, this report should now jolt them into action. As the world seeks solutions to looming and destructive global-warming-induced catastrophes, GM crops cultivation should be considered as the best solution.If you were asked to choose between losing your car and growing GM crop to curb greenhouse gas emissions, what would you go for? I am sure you would go for the latter.After all, you have more to gain from growing GM crops.
This latest report on GM crops should be a wake-up call for pessimists. They either jump into this fast-moving bandwagon or risk being swept away by Hurricane Hunger or Hurricane Malnourishment. And it is not for nothing that they should embrace GM technology. The jury is already out that the pros of GM crops far outweigh their cons.


http://www.gmoafrica.org/2005/10/advantages-of-genetically-modified.html