Can the controversial GM technology be a solution to the world's millions' hunger?
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Global hunger is now affecting around 830 million people across the world, according to the United Nations World Food Program.
The 'Hunger Hot Spots' of the world!
- Besides the crisis in Darfur, the food situation in the rest of Sudan has left nearly 7 million people hungry.
- The tsunami-struck Indonesian island of Java is left with 30,000 people homeless affecting more than 100,000 people poor and hungry.
- With the recent volcanic eruption in the Andean region of Ecuador, more than 100,000 people are affected with an estimated 25,000 people left in dire need for food supplies.
- The 2.5 million in Pakistan are left homeless with the 2005 earthquake claiming 73,000 lives are yet to recover completely form poverty and hunger.
- During the last 15 years, drought and the worst locust invasion have left Niger impoverished with exceptionally poor harvests in 2005. Food crisis -- combined with record high prices for staple foods -- has left millions struggling to feed themselves and their families.
Safety of genetically-modified (GM) foods has always been in question!
- The scientific research on genes from genetically modified (GM) maize that may have been found in native Mexican species in 2001 had sparked intense debate in the UK over the safety of genetically-modified (GM) foods.
- Food containing genetically modified ingredients has been banned in Britain and had to go on sale in the country only after being labeled GM-free in 2001.
- In 2004, a new front has opened up in France in the controversy over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food with a group of radical rural campaigners emerging surprisingly to claim in favour of open- field experiments.
- Industry groups and environmental organizations have created pressure on biotech companies heavily for moving away from producing medicinal proteins through the genetic engineering of staple food plants.
Here is perhaps a better solution!
-- 'Genetically modified cotton seeds -- its edible!
The seeds of cotton plant are naturally toxic. But, scientists have genetically modified these toxic seeds to be a potential food source for millions of people starving across the world!
The researchers have developed a method of reducing gossypol - the seeds' powerful toxin -- to a negligible level. It is reduced to an extent that the 'throw-away' is made suitable to be consumed by humans.
And to add to this development, enough cotton has already been planted worldwide capable of supplying the protein needs of 500m people! Thanks to Dr Keerti Rathore -- a plant technologist at Texas Agricultural Experiment Station - for carrying out the research.
Though, further field and safety trials are needed, once successful, the technique could turn out to be the 'killer application' that supporters of GM technology have long hoped for.
So, can the environmentalists object to a GM crop that has a potential to reduce world hunger on such a scale...?!
