Is the European attitude to GM products suffocating African development.

摘要

Currently, parts of southern Africa are experiencing their 3rd major drought in 5 yr. The previous 2 droughts greatly affected food production, resulting in food shortages, which necessitated the provision of food aid to the region by developed nations. However, some of the food aid included GM crops, the supply of which triggered hostile reactions by southern African governments, and in one case, resulted in food aid being withheld from people on the verge of starvation. This article examines the background and reasons behind the condemnation of GM crops by southern African nations, and considers whether the lack of support for agricultural biotechnology by European nations has contributed to this situation. Furthermore, the necessity of agricultural biotechnology in future African development is discussed.