Legitimate Concern or Senseless Starvation?

While bioengineered foods may seem like the obvious solution to world hunger, leaders in many developing countries, particularly in Africa, aren’t buying it --- or, for that matter, even accepting donations of genetically modified foods.

In the midst of severe famine that killed millions, Zambia and Zimbabwe in 2002 turned away corn donated by the United Nations because it contained bioengineered seeds. Zambia still bans biotech foods. Sudan, Mozambique, Angola and Zimbabwe accept only milled products that can’t be planted and intermingled with native crops.

While no serious illnesses have been connected with these foods, critics contend bioengineered foods have the potential of spreading allergens and toxins. Some of the more determined foes of the technology have vowed to destroy fields where transgenic crops are grown.

Posted by Jim Langcuster at May 26, 2004 10:15 AM | TrackBack