The Use of GM Crops in Developing Countries
Summary and recommendations
Introduction
In May 1999, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics published a Report on Genetically modified crops: the ethical and social issues. One conclusion of the Report was that genetically modified (GM) crops had considerable potential to improve food security and the effectiveness of the agricultural sector in developing countries.
Since then, a highly polarised debate on the risks and benefits associated with the use of GM crops has continued and intensified. This debate has focused predominantly on the needs of European countries, with little attention paid to the impact of research on GM crops for agriculture in the developing world. However, the total acreage planted with GM crops in developing countries has more than doubled since 1999 and research has continued. In October 2002 the Council decided that the implications of these developments deserved further examination. In order to contribute to the continuing debate in the UK and elsewhere, we have reviewed relevant recent evidence. Our objective has been to reassess the potential contribution that GM crops could make towards improving the effectiveness of agriculture in developing countries.
Background
Between 1970-90 the Green Revolution brought about greatly improved crop yields in many, but by no means all, parts of the developing world. Poverty and hunger fell dramatically. However, Africa and parts of Asia saw little gain, and the initial rate of improvement of the Green Revolution was not sustained between 1985-90. The best areas had already been saturated with semi-dwarf wheat and rice. Further yield increases were held back by water shortages, soil problems, and the emergence of new types of pest and disease. Population growth had slowed down sharply (in Asia since the mid 1970s, and in Africa since the mid-1980s). In contrast, the rapid and widespread growth in the numbers of people of working age was sustained (paragraphs 2.7-2.8). These trends look set to continue.
Food insecurity prevails, even in developing countries with food surpluses. One proposed solution, the redistribution of surpluses among and within countries poses serious practical and political challenges. Food aid programmes and efforts towards land reform have achieved much and should continue. However, improving the productivity of small farms is by far the best means of achieving a substantial reduction of food insecurity and poverty. Many people are poor, and therefore hungry, because they can neither produce enough food on their small farms, nor obtain enough employment by working on those of others. Enhancement of yields on small farms tends to increase the demand and hence rewards for poor labourers (paragraphs 2.4, 2.9-2.11).