OIL bOOM Canola like black gold for Manitoba
Big buildup in corn stocks sinks prices
» Page 18
Could lead to further sharp declines
October 24, 2013
SERVING MANITOBA FARMERS SINCE 1925 | Vol. 71, No. 43
|
» Page 33
$1.75
manitobacooperator.ca
Lack of consumer acceptance plagues biotech science World Food Prize laureates say better methods are needed for communicating science to the general public co-operator editor/des moines, iowa
T
Publication Mail Agreement 40069240
he greatest challenge feeding the world’s growing population is not about the science needed to boost production, it is convincing the public to accept it, scientists receiving the 2013 World Food Prize said here last week. The three scientists honoured as pioneers of genetically modified crops spent much of their time defending the twodecades-old technology against concerns they say should have been laid to rest long ago. “Looking back at the begin-
ning of this science, I don’t think I could ever imagine it would have had the impact and adaptation that it has had today,” said Robb Fraley, Monsanto’s executive vicepresident and chief biotechnology officer. “And I never thought in the early stages that we would still be talking about acceptance and the consumer challenges we are talking about today.” He noted genetically modified crops developed by his company and others have an “impeccable” safety track record and been embraced by farmers in more than 30 countries all over the world. “The beauty of the science is taking all of this advancement in biology and genetic engineering and putting it in a seed. Every farmer in the world knows what to do with a seed. The barriers to adoption are very, very low and the ability to reap benefit is high,” he said. However, it continues to face opposition from consumers, activist groups and politicians. “We need to make people understand the technology has been tested and the safety has never been compromised.” What’s more, the technology has transformed plant breeding, taking it to the molecular level, as gene mapping makes it possible for scientists to select for specific traits, he said. “I am optimistic that the tools that we have in biotechnology are incredible. From the science perspective we’re seeing just the tip of the iceberg by way of new opportunities,” he said.
Protesters outside the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo: Laura Rance
But at the same time as the world is called upon to double its food supply, producing more in the next few decades than it has in its entire history to feed an estimated 9.6 billion people by 2050, the backlash continues against one of the technologies that can help make that happen.
Three receive award
F r a l e y j o i n e d M a r c Va n Montagu, the founder of the Institute for Plant Biotechnology Outreach in Belgium, and Mary-Dell Chilton, founder of
MOVING AT THE SPEED Of TEcHNOlOGy 1-800-265-7403 www.hylandseeds.com
Syngenta Biotechnology Inc. in accepting the annual award recognizing individuals who have contributed to global food security. Biotech proponents celebrated the World Food Prize Foundation’s decision to honour three of its own as a muchneeded boost to the industry’s credibility. But the decision was condemned by organizations that continue to challenge the safety of genetically modified crops and worry about corporate control of the food chain.
The Occupy the World Food Prize movement, which is critical of biotechnology, was among the 30 or so organizations holding side events concurrent with the three-day-long Borlaug Dialogues. Van Montagu said he accepts that there is a segment of the population that based on personal beliefs, will never accept the technology. “There are people who believe in horoscopes; there are people who believe See BIOTECH on page 6 »
®™Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. 09/13-20278-01 MC
By Laura Rance