The Truth about GM Crops
Supposedly GM crops were supposed to to solve all sorts of annoying resource problems. Increased yields were supposed to help poor countries. Golden rice was supposed to cure Vitamin A deficiency.
Alas, golden rice has never been a commercial priority. And it seems that biotechnology companies are not really interested in increasing yields of what poor countries really need: staple crops.
What is industry leader Monsanto planning for the medium term? Certainly profitable stuff but nothing that will solve any systematic resource problems.
In particular, many [executives] point to new lines of drought-tolerant corn, due out in 2012, that have been engineered to use water more efficiently.
How such products will alleviate hunger in developing nations is another issue. Monsanto's corn, for instance, isn't meant to be eaten off the cob. Its most common use, as with soy, is to produce animal feed. So doubling yields is most likely to benefit affluent meat-eaters but is of little use to the malnourished. Monsanto says it's working with African aid groups to develop drought-tolerant white corn to help local farmers, but CEO Grant says such crops are "eight years down the road."
Biotechnology companies are not looking to increase yields, to reduce pesticide use, to feed the hungry, or to save the planet. They are looking to generate profit for their shareholders. Period.
Labels: GM corn, GM crops, Monsanto, stupid corporate tricks
