2004-5-31
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.