Seeds of Contention – World Hunger and the Global Controversy over GM Crops - Softcover

Pinstrup–anders, Per; Schiøler, Ebbe

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0801868262 ISBN 13: 9780801868269

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001

Synopsis

In recent years the media have reported, frequently with alarm, on the increasing use of genetically modified crops in agriculture. Some groups have expressed concern about consumer safety and the risks of large-scale ecosystem damage. Others have noted the resulting shift of power away from locally controlled farming operations toward large agribusiness and biotech companies, and the particular vulnerability of farmers in the developing world to this trend. In Seeds of Contention: World Hunger and the Global Controversy over GM Crops, development specialists Per Pinstrup-Andersen and Ebbe Schioler focus attention on the less discussed issues of the potential benefits and costs of genetically modified crops for developing countries. Pinstrup-Andersen and Schioler review the basic issues and discuss the potential that such crops have for addressing the great needs of poor and undernourished peoples throughout the world. They explain how increased agricultural productivity is not enough in addressing the problem of famine. People in developing countries need crops that are disease-resistant, can fend off insect predators, and can withstand severe environmental conditions in order to produce larger crop yields. Pinstrup-Andersen and Schioler are sober in their assessment of these prospects, for they acknowledge that GM crops alone will not solve the world's food problem. They argue, however, that they may be one element in the solution and people in developing countries should have information about benefits and risks and the freedom to make their own decisions about whether or not to grow and consume GM crops.

About this title

About the Author

Per Pinstrup-Andersen is director general of the International Food Policy Research Institute. Ebbe Schioler is a consultant in research and development issues primarily related to agriculture.

Edition details

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0801868262
• ISBN 13: 9780801868269
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176