Genetic Modification of Crops : Fear of Success/Politics/Unknown?

What this article brings to mind is a persons natural opposition to change and fear of the unknown. Is it ignorance of black and white facts laid out for all to see and understand the benefits that will occur with this new found technology, or is it more sinister. Maybe, but many people find security in what is known and insecurity in the unknown.

Many opposition groups do not want poor countries to become self sufficient as this will make the people independent thinkers, which in turn will probably, in the near future, kick them out of power and that is not acceptable. To keep the people poor and dependent is a major factor in controling the populaton.

Some opposition groups attack new technology strictly as a means to control past practices which has enriched them. That it has detrimental effects on the country as a whole isn't factored in as they can't see that far into the future. What's important is what is happening now and how to sustain their present level of success.

Opposition to Genetic Modification
January 11, 2013
Source: Henry I. Miller and Graham Brookes, "The GM Reactionaries," Project Syndicate, December 31, 2012.

Interest groups often react too quickly to scientific advancement and discovery, creating a negative public perception that inhibits further research and development, say Henry I. Miller, a fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, and Graham Brookes, an economist and co-director of the U.K.-based PG Economics Limited.

Take, for example, the strides that have been made in genetic modification (GM). To date, there have been immeasurable benefits derived from the use of genetic engineering in the use of crops. This includes things such as biotechnology and recombinant DNA technology to alter crops and other food sources to make them better.

GM has made possible pest resistant crops and higher yields, yet it continues to be attacked by lobbyists as being unsafe despite evidence to the contrary.

• More than 17 million farmers in three dozen countries are using genetically modified (GM) crops.
• There have been over a billion hectares of GM crops that have been cultivated and more than two trillions servings of foods with GM ingredients have been consumed in North America.
• Furthermore, the amount of pesticide that is sprayed on crops has fallen by 393 million kilograms worldwide between 1996 and 2009.
• In that same time period, the shift to biotech crops reduced carbon emissions by 17.6 billion kilograms.

In addition, the fact that GM crops require no-till farming techniques means that there is less soil erosion or agricultural runoff.
Because GM crops are more resistant to diseases and insulated from harsh weather conditions, there are several economic benefits that farmers can reap.

• GM crops allow farmers higher yields at lower production costs.
• For example, corn and soybean production have increased by 130 million and 83 million tons, respectively.
• Because of this, global commodity prices have gone down, allowing larger, more nutritious food to be cheaper.

Despite all of this, opponents of GM foods continue to lobby against it with success. Policymakers have passed several rules and regulations that have slowed the progress farmers and scientists can make with such promising technology.