Transgenic crops and global food security

Abstract

Substantial agricultural production increases are necessary in order to feed the growing world population. This also requires harnessing the potentials of modern biotechnology, complementing more traditional crop improvement techniques. Insect-resistant transgenic plants have already proved to deliver higher effective yields through better crop protection. However, hunger is not only a production but also a distribution problem, meaning that many people are simply too poor to have sufficient access to food. Transgenic crops can play a role in this respect too, as large parts of the world's poor are dependent on agriculture as a source of income. For Bt cotton in particular, effects on poverty reduction have already been observed in some developing countries. But not every transgenic application is suitable for small scale farmers, and the social impacts also depend on the institutional environment. Therefore, technological approaches should always be seen as a component of a broader development strategy. Rationalizing the emotional biotechnology debate would be desirable.