What will the effect of GMO's be in 100 years?

Expert response from Community Manager

Moderator for GMOAnswers.com

Tuesday, 22/10/2013 12:58

Jim Gaffney at DuPont Pioneer recently provided his perspective on the future effect of GMOs. An excerpt from his response is included below:

“I have high expectations for biotechnology and believe in the future it will:

1) improve food availability and nutrition;
2) help farmers make better use of their land, water and labor resources; and
3) help local farmers move beyond subsistence.

"These advances will help the next generation get excited about agriculture and staying on the farm, something that is often missing around the world.

"We're already making progress. Scientists have demonstrated that biotechnology can be used to increase the amount and stability of pro-vitamin A, iron and zinc and improve the protein digestibility of sorghum. In the coming years, this technology is anticipated to benefit Africans who rely upon sorghum, which traditionally is deficient in key nutrients. Golden rice is another example of a nutritionally improved biotech crop. It's genetically engineered to provide an increased amount of beta-carotene. A serving of golden rice could provide half the required daily intake of pro-vitamin A for a one0 to three-year-old child. Technology exists to help breeders develop high-quality hybrids more quickly, which can help us improve productivity and sustainability faster. Scientists now are working on ways to further improve the staple crops that people in developing countries rely on for food. This will help food security in these countries by producing more food where it's actually consumed.

"Biotechnology also can help farmers grow more with less. Analysis of U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows global corn acres have increased 31 percent since 1981, while production increased 93 percent. Approximately 240 million “virtual” corn acres have been created in the last 30 years. That trend has to continue if we're to meet growing demand, despite conditions like drought, poor soil nutrient levels and insect pressure—all of which, many experts predict, will present an even greater challenge in the future."

The full response is available here.

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