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NCGA
Applauds UN Report Recognizing Biotech's Ability to Feed the World (7-11-01)
Biotechnology continues
to be a major focus in both agricultural and mainstream media. The Biotechnology
Industry Organization (BIO) held its 2001 conference in San Diego two
weeks ago. Also, leaders of the European Union (EU) have stated publicly
they want to incorporate biotechnology into food production, even though
myths continue to color the European people's view of biotech foods.
However, a recently
released report by the United Nations (UN) advises the world's richer
countries to put aside some of the baseless fears of biotech and focus
on feeding poorer, developing nations.
"Biotechnology
offers the only, or the best, 'tool of choice' for marginal ecological
zones left behind by the green revolution, but home to more than half
the world's poorest people," claimed the UN's 2001 Human Development
Report.
Fred Yoder, National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Biotech Working Group Chairman and Plain
City, Ohio, pointed out the need for education on the benefits biotech
to overcome the myths.
"When we visited
Europe recently, one of the stories that kept coming back to us was
how the U.S. eats only organic crops and we ship all our (biotech) food
overseas. That simply isn't true," said Yoder. "Biotechnology
has the potential to feed the poor countries of the world, but we have
to get past stereotypes and false stories so people will realize the
benefits instead of the unfounded dangers."
The UN report acknowledges
that the mistrust of biotech in Europe and other developed countries
can be attributed to the language used to describe the technology.
"Language itself
has become a political weapon," the report said. "(Words such
as) 'traitor technologies' and 'frankenfoods' deliberately engender
fear and anxiety."
Even though activists
continue to rally against biotechnology, it is interesting to note in
the five years since it was introduced in 1996, the land usage for biotech
crops has increased a staggering 2,200%.
"For many growers,"
said Yoder, "biotech has the potential to increase their earning
potential and we need to open more opportunities like that for farmers
who want to produce Bt corn."
To view the UN's
Human Development Report, go to http://www.undp.org/hdr2001/.
For more information on biotech, visit the NCGA website at http://www.ncga.com/biotechnology/main/index.html.
Last
reviewed July 11, 2001
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