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Why GM foods are not the solution to world hunger

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NEWS

World hunger is not caused by an inadequate supply of food, but its uneven distribution.

COMMENT

As this South China Morning Post article points out, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says there is already more than enough food produced in the world to feed everyone. Nevertheless, 815 million people still went hungry in 2016. Of these, 489 million lived in countries affected by conflict. It is clearly therefore highly misleading to claim that GM food is the solution to world hunger, as this does not correctly address the root of the problem.

In an example of one of the numerous known problems with GM crops, a major study published in 2017 found that insects are rapidly developing resistance to them. Published in the Nature Biotechnology journal by researchers from the University of Arizona in the United States, the study examined 36 cases looking at how insects react to the crops. Significantly, as of 2016, the data shows a dramatically reduced efficacy of the poisons in 16 cases, with early warning signs in a further 3 cases. This represents a huge increase from the mere 3 cases of resistance that had been observed by 2005. Overall, resistance or early warning signs of it were found in a majority (19) of the 36 cases examined.

To read about our Foundation’s vision of a world in which the fruits and vegetables we plant and eat are organically grown, and are free of pesticides and GMOs, read and watch Dr. Rath’s inspirational Barletta Declaration from 2014.

Read article in the South China Morning Post (China)
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