While we agree that the science behind genetic engineering is improving day by day, there are concerns among farmers, scientists and other concerned people about the way GM foods are being promoted by corporate interests.
Some of the points under discussion:
1. Food shortage is an economic and political problem. There is enough food, its just not available equitably. So, do we need GM foods?
2. GM is an expensive technology. It is being actively marketed in developing countries (enforced upon them even) when they cannot afford it.
3. Patenting laws are skewed against the poor. Biotech companies patent indigenous products and end up exploiting the poor even more than they usually do.
4. GM is a young and untested technology. We don't know all the answers yet.
5. Most important, GM promotes crop uniformity, which is a death knell for genetic diversity, making crops more vulnerable to insects and pesticides and requiring more and more engineering, just to keep up.
Discuss.
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