GMO, free of foreign genes: Viable for the Developing World

by peder.sande | June 9, 2009 at 02:56 pm

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Genetically modified organisms (GMO) have created much controversy in the developed and developing world. Daniel Voytas, along with a team of scientists at the University of Minnesota Center for Genome Engineering, have created a new process to produce GMO which are free of foreign genes. Instead the organism genomic sequence is altered to produce the desired affects.

Voytas says the technique requires only standard molecular biology laboratories and competence in introducing DNA into plants — resources that are available in many parts of the developing world. He also says capacity to do such work should be increased in developing countries.

Though developed countries have been faster to take up transgenic foods developing countries have been adopting genetically engineered food at an increasing pace. However the increasing adoption also involves increasing complications for rural farmers. Daniel Voytas and his team may one day allow emerging firms the ability to compete, with GMO free of foreign genes. As the research matures it will no doubt increase the acceptance of genetically engineered crops in developing countries through decreased prices as well as less stringent copyright issues.

Monsanto does, however, mention lobbying on Senate Bill 384—the so-called Global Food Security Act—which would gear U.S. foreign aid policy to promote GMO seeds in developing countries.

The most nefarious issues of genetically modified organisms, stepping over claims of health risks, are the copy right issues. Research initially headed by large multinational companies, such as Monsanto, have taken strong criticism for restraining use of 2nd generation seeds from genetically engineered crops. This new break through will allow decreased barriers to entry for firms from emerging economies, who desperately need staple crops to produce in their countries agricultural conditions.

Monsanto’s other big legislative concern? Strengthening already-draconian patent protection for the GMO seed industry—the one it dominates like Microsoft dominate operating system software.

Emerging Economies Adoption of Genetically Modified Crops:

India – 2008/2009 projected annual production of genetically modified cotton is up by 100%
Brazil – Has increased GMO soy from 94,000 km2 in 2005 versus 50,000 km2 in 2004

Although most GM crops are grown in North America, in recent years there has been rapid growth in the area sown in developing countries. For instance in 2005 the largest increase in crop area planted to GM crops (soybeans) was in Brazil (94,000 km2 in 2005 versus 50,000 km2 in 2004.)[15] There has also been rapid and continuing expansion of GM cotton varieties in India since 2002. (Cotton is a major source of vegetable cooking oil and animal feed.) It is predicted that in 2008/9 32,000 km2 of GM cotton will be harvested in India (up more than 100 percent from the previous season).