Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Genetic modification is just one tool for producing a better
crop variety, and if one GM crop isn't successful that doesn't
mean other GM crops won't be. The Flavr Savr tomato was the
first GM food, and it failed, but it was later followed with soy-
bean and corn varieties that would dominate the market. Any
time technology providers and farmers have more options in
how to produce food they will produce more efficiently—other-
wise, they will be driven out of business by those more efficient.
If one has faith in the regulatory system that no GM food will
be approved unless it is safe and environmentally-friendly, then
it is hard to imagine how GMOs cannot help us feed the world.
Anna Lappé with the Food MythBusters organization
argues otherwise, saying that we have been tricked into
believing that technologies sold by corporations are necessary
to feed the world in 2020. Her argument is that these technolo-
gies initially seem advantageous but farmers develop a “quick
addiction” to GM seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. Eventually
the soil becomes depleted and pesticides become ineffective,
thus threatening our ability to produce food, she predicts. This
prediction is based on her belief that corporate influence has
“tilted the playing field” to favor large corporations and thus
the technologies they sell, like GM seed.
Once again, whether one believes GM foods can help feed
the world in 2020 depends on one's view of corporations. If,
like Lappé, one believes that corporations can reduce farmers'
options by controlling regulation, the input market, and the
output market, then they hinder our ability to feed the world.
Conversely, if one believes GMOs are regulated effectively and
corporations can only succeed in the market if farmers consis-
tently prefer their product, then GMOs increase farmers' options
and might play a major role in feeding future generations.
Do GMOs Reduce Pesticide Use?
If GMOs can reduce pesticide use then there might be health
and environmental benefits from the technology. Both sides
