Can the world afford to ignore biotechnology solutions that address food insecurity?

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2013
Author
Berman Quintana, Judit
Zhu, Changfu
Pérez Massot, Eduard
Arjó Pont, Gemma
Zorrilla López, Uxue
Masip Vilà, Gemma
Banakar, Raviraj
Sanahuja Solsona, Georgina
Farré Martinez, Gemma
Miralpeix i Anglada, Bruna
Bai, Chao
Vamvaka, Evangelia
Sabalza Gallués, Maite
Twyman, Richard M.
Bassie Rene, Ludovic
Capell Capell, Teresa
Christou, Paul
Suggested citation
Berman Quintana, Judit; Zhu, Changfu; Pérez Massot, Eduard; Arjó Pont, Gemma; Zorrilla López, Uxue; Masip Vilà, Gemma; ... Christou, Paul. (2013) . Can the world afford to ignore biotechnology solutions that address food insecurity?. Plant Molecular Biology, 2013, vol. 83, núm. 1, p. 5-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-013-0027-2.
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Abstract
Genetically engineered (GE) crops can be used as part of a combined strategy to address food insecurity, which is defined as a lack of sustainable access to safe and nutritious food. In this article, we discuss the causes and consequences of food insecurity in the developing world, and the indirect economic impact on industrialized countries. We dissect the healthcare costs and lost productivity caused by food insecurity, and evaluate the relative merits of different intervention programs including supplementation, fortification and the deployment of GE crops with higher yields and enhanced nutritional properties. We provide clear evidence for the numerous potential benefits of GE crops, particularly for small-scale and subsistence farmers. GE crops with enhanced yields and nutritional properties constitute a vital component of any comprehensive strategy to tackle poverty, hunger and malnutrition in developing countries and thus reduce the global negative economic effects of food insecurity.
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http://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/56824
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-013-0027-2
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Plant Molecular Biology, 2013, vol. 83, núm. 1, p. 5-19
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