Researchers are still trying to determine if genetically engineered crops pose a health risk.
Meanwhile, farmers all over the world are rapidly adopting biotech methods. Seven million farmers in 18 countries now produce genetically engineered crops. That amounts to 18 percent of the world’s food-crop production, a significant chunk when you consider biotech crops first became commercially available just eight years ago. Last year alone, biotech plantings increased by 15 percent compared to 2002. Not surprisingly, the United States is the biggest producer, followed by Argentina and Canada.
Though some scientists argue that genetically engineered foods could help feed more of the poor and disadvantaged of this Earth, the reason for the upsurge has to do more with greed than with humanitarian aid. In biotech farming, processing is more profitable because crops become less vulnerable to the elements, have a longer shelf life and make for easier shipping. They are also more resistant to bugs and the poisonous pesticides that kill bugs.
Hungry yet? Genetically produced vegetables together with poisonous pesticides. Yummy!
Seriously: If bugs won’t eat the poison-drenched, nutrient-starved plants, should we?