Biotechnology enables farmers to grow crops in arid climates or salty soils, and cultivate foods that are more nutritious and contain healthier oils, writes Marian Byron
Having read Fr Seán McDonagh's article in The Irish Times last week, I am puzzled by his arguments against plant biotechnology.
Despite many claims to the contrary, no health threats linked to biotech crops have emerged, and last year the one billionth acre of biotech crops was planted. We have been eating these foods now for over a decade and no adverse effects have been identified.
The technology has proved to be of enormous benefit and undoubtedly, as science moves on, more advantages will come to light. Referring to plant biotechnology as an imprecise science is not accurate. Genetic modification in nature is far less precise and the outcomes far less predictable. New technology must therefore be embraced if we are to reap the rewards.
Most commentators agree that inactive lifestyles combined with poor diets have contributed to an increase in cardiac disease and diabetes in the developed world. It is ironic to note that now and in the future the best way of preventing and managing these diseases will come from biotechnological advances. Far from presenting a threat, biotechnology will provide the solutions for many of our most pressing problems.
Those who live and work in the developed world can choose to consume foods grown using organic agriculture if they so wish and they are perfectly entitled to do so. The choice faced by many who live in the developing world is much starker - they either eat and survive, or starve. Biotechnology has provided a range of innovations which tip this delicate balance in favour of survival, including drought tolerant and insect resistant crops, for example.
Biotechnology enables farmers to grow crops in arid climates or salty soils, and cultivate foods that are more nutritious and contain healthier oils. Enriched with beta carotene, "golden rice" has the potential to help combat vitamin A deficiency - a major cause of blindness in the developing world.
Plants that resist viral pests, such as a new variety of African sweet potato, can improve yields of important staple crops. Similarly, plants that resist toxic or salty soils may increase the land available for farming throughout the world. It is vital that these opportunities are exploited by those who most need them.
Fr McDonagh highlights issues he believes are contributing to world food shortage, such as global warming, destruction of biodiversity and the lack of social and economic equality. However, the article ignores the primary cause of food shortage now and in the future - unprecedented population growth.
The UN estimates that the world's population will, in time, grow to more than nine billion people. With an estimated global population of eight billion people by 2030, the need for a nutritious and safe food supply will only continue to grow.
We have an ever increasing number of people on a finite planet, where the few wealthy nations have access to a plentiful supply of food, whereas those who are disadvantaged do not. Over 800 million people do not have sufficient food supplies today. This contributes to poor health, disease, conflict and dramatically reduced productivity, trapping individuals and entire communities in poverty, war and despair. The problems are easy to identify, but what are the solutions?
In an ideal world all of us would work together to improve matters, by using less energy and resources and by living more frugally on a modest scale. But the contribution that science and new technology can make towards the solution must be championed.
We have a means to help grow nutritious food, in many cases where the nutritional value has been enhanced. Biotechnology will increase crop yields by shrinking the amount of land needed. In addition, crops that contain greater nutritional value can be grown where water is scarce. Some new crops will even grow medicines, while others will provide stronger, more rapidly renewable building material.
It is worth noting that 90 per cent of the 8.25 million farmers who chose to plant biotech crops last year came from developing countries, where the benefits of these crops can make a substantial contribution to the alleviation of poverty.
Commenting on the improvement in his crops, Seferino Cosme, a farmer from the Philippines said the type of corn he was growing had made a big difference to his life:
"I want my co-farmers and all the other farmers in the country to experience the good life - just as we do." This is indicative of the real and tangible benefits plant biotechnology can bring.
It is of course vital that public concern about plant biotechnology is taken on board and consumers are completely confident in the technology. It is therefore important that independent assessment and regulation of the technology, the products, and the uses are stringently maintained and enforced. In doing so, we can embrace the opportunities and contribute towards a healthier and more sustainable planet.
• Marian Byron is director of the Irish BioIndustry Association