16. GM food - a solution to food shortage?

Topic on GM food is shifted to KQ3 under Strategies to overcome food shortages for Pure Geography students only for the revised syllabus (2017)

Let's look at Genetically Modified (GM) food:

• How are GM food made?

• Do you think GM food is harmful?

• Do you think GM food may be the answer to hunger? Why or why not?

• Will you consume GM food?

Watch this video on GM food https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAP6ZtfP9ZQ and think about the following:

What is GM food?

Why is there a need to produce GM food?

Where are GM food produced?

Who are the people affected by GM food production?

Look at the global distribution of GM food producers in the map found in: http://chartsbin.com/view/578

Find out the top 3 producers of GM food in the world in 2010 from the map.

Watch the video on why Kenya ban imports of GM food.

What are the pros and cons of GM food?

"GM food is the solution to food shortage". Do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer,

How GM Food can increase food supply

· Some GM food crops are able to produce higher output than non-GM food crops. E.g. the cultivation of Super Rice, a type of GM rice, produces double the output of normal rice.

· At the same time, farmers who grow such GM food crops can earn more income by selling GM food crops to overseas markets.

· Scientist have created GM food crops that are more resistant to pests. For example, a pest-resistant corn was created by inserting a bacterium, Bt into the corn plant. As Bt is a natural pesticide, the Bt corn suffers less damage from insects.

· With fewer food crops being damaged, farmers who choose to grow pest-resistant GM food crops such as the Bt corn may be able to enjoy an increase in their output

· Some food crops have also been genetically modified to stay fresh for a longer period of time. Hence, the farmers who grow such GM food crops can sell their produce to markets that are further away.

· In this way, farmers in less developed countries may be able to sell more of their crops to other countries and earn more money to invest in their farms.

· GM food is able to withstand greater variations in weather and climate and is tolerant to more saline water

· So it is possible for some GM plants and animals to be grown and raised on land once thought to be unsuitable for farming. This will help to produce more food for the world

Limitations:

· Many people fear the potential health risks that might be associated with consuming GM food, as some food substances used may cause allergies.

· For example, scientists have used lectin, a protein found in beans, in potatoes to prevent aphids from attacking potato plants. However, some people are allergic to lectin, hence they fear that may have allergic reactions if they unknowingly eat GM potatoes that contain lectin.

· There is also the fear of the unknown consequences of consuming food that is not natural which may cause health problems.

· the European Union has banned the import and cultivation of most GM food crops.

· It has also been reported that even countries that are facing food shortages such as Zambia have rejected GM food imports, fearing the potential health impact of such food.

· This is particularly so because GM food is usually not labeled. Hence, consumers are unable to make informed decisions.

· Generally farmers in DCs are able to grow GM food crops as compared to farmers in LDCs. Farmers in DCs or richer farmers in LDCs have the means and capital to grow genetically modified food crop as compared to the poor farmers.

Conclusion:

The increase in production of food due to GM food will definitely provide more food especially for areas that are short of food. However GM food are mainly produced in developed countries. Whether the poorer countries in need of food can have access to GM food (transport and $ problems) is questionable.

Alternatives to GM food

- making better use of existing plant varieties

- using more chemical and organic fertilizers to give higher yields

- ensuring food supplies within countries are more equitably distributed

- educating farmers on the proper use of water and fertilizers which will reduce long-term problems of salinity, waterlogging and the resultant decline in yields

Refer to http://www.geneticallymodifiedfoods.co.uk/fact-sheet-pros-vs-cons.html

Click on the link below to read more about GM food and the case for Golden rice.

http://allowgoldenricenow.org/wordpress/the-case-for-golden-rice/