Can the world afford to ignore biotechnology solutions that address food insecurity?
Loading...
Date
2013
Authors
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
Other authors
Impact
Export
Share
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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.
Citation
Journal or Serie
Plant Molecular Biology, 2013, vol. 83, núm. 1, p. 5-19