Some people know when its time to call for help. It may be against their policies, but they know that they can no longer continue with their current ways and need help. There are others who will refuse to ask for help, however dire the situation the may be. As far as food supply goes, developing third world countries time to call for help has come, but they appear to be taking the route of sticking to age old traditions and unfounded opinions rather than accepting scientific novelties into their relatively unchanged and nearly Precambrian agricultural methods. Genetically engineered veggies can be the ultimate solution to the food shortages in these regions, but misbeliefs and controversy shrouds GMO foods in mist, as they continue to hold on to their agricultural methods for dear life pun intended.
Although it sounds like a cut out from a sci-fi trailer, genetically modified crops are not man eating giants taking their shot at world domination, but are plants grown from seeds which have been modified at the genetic level to improve the growth, nutritional content, yield and resistance to external stress. Genetic engineering techniques are used to breed different species plants. For instance, a gene that is a major protagonist for drought tolerance can be introduced into the plants to make them drought resistant. This logic extends to beneficial bacteria as well. In corn fields, genetically modified Bacillus Thuringiensis cultures are bred into the corn, giving it an iron resistance against pests and diseases.
Back to the global economics though they are beginning to face a struggle, these third world countries are ready to risk the loss of potentially life-saving foreign investment. Different countries have different stands. The saying goes "united we stand, divided we fall", but these countries don't seem to mind falling in unison.
Sri Lanka
After this country banned GMO foods in 2000, the then president of USA, George Bush Jr., threatened to sanction supplies to Sri Lanka with the support of the World Trade Organization if the country didn't revert. Under immense pressure, Sri Lanka finally called off the ban seven years later, but made it legally mandatory to label all GMO produce as genetically modified. The extent to which this law is followed is interesting at best.
Bolivia
The government of Bolivia outlawed the use of genetically engineered seeds under "The Law of the Rights of Mother Earth". Food for thought: Bolivia, like every other country, doesn't seem to believe that the right to prevent deforestation falls under Mother Earth's rights.
Thailand
An all-out ban has been imposed in Thailand on growing as well as importing genetically modified produce and seeds, and careful precautions are taken to label such products.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean governments, in 2012, decided to stick to the traditional methods and remained aloof towards GMO foods. America's GMO food aid was blatantly and staunchly refused by the Agriculture Minister, Joseph Made. The supporters criticized US for trying to spread their genetically altered products in the name of charity.
Paraguay
In 2012, when former President Fernando Lugo was replaced by Vice President Federico Franco, the agricultural scenario changed. They commercialized several varieties of transgenic corn and cotton.
Peru
Peru's new President, Ollanta Humala, legalized the import and produce of genetically engineered seeds, fish and livestock. According to the government, it only benefits the country's rich agricultural biodiversity and offers many benefits to Peru's strongly organically oriented agriculture.
Kenya
After falling for a highly contested French study about GMO corn possibly causing cancer in rats, Kenya banned GMO foods late in the month of November, 2012. The results of the arguable study remain inconclusive in the eyes of the scientific community.
Although it sounds like a cut out from a sci-fi trailer, genetically modified crops are not man eating giants taking their shot at world domination, but are plants grown from seeds which have been modified at the genetic level to improve the growth, nutritional content, yield and resistance to external stress. Genetic engineering techniques are used to breed different species plants. For instance, a gene that is a major protagonist for drought tolerance can be introduced into the plants to make them drought resistant. This logic extends to beneficial bacteria as well. In corn fields, genetically modified Bacillus Thuringiensis cultures are bred into the corn, giving it an iron resistance against pests and diseases.
Back to the global economics though they are beginning to face a struggle, these third world countries are ready to risk the loss of potentially life-saving foreign investment. Different countries have different stands. The saying goes "united we stand, divided we fall", but these countries don't seem to mind falling in unison.
Sri Lanka
After this country banned GMO foods in 2000, the then president of USA, George Bush Jr., threatened to sanction supplies to Sri Lanka with the support of the World Trade Organization if the country didn't revert. Under immense pressure, Sri Lanka finally called off the ban seven years later, but made it legally mandatory to label all GMO produce as genetically modified. The extent to which this law is followed is interesting at best.
Bolivia
The government of Bolivia outlawed the use of genetically engineered seeds under "The Law of the Rights of Mother Earth". Food for thought: Bolivia, like every other country, doesn't seem to believe that the right to prevent deforestation falls under Mother Earth's rights.
Thailand
An all-out ban has been imposed in Thailand on growing as well as importing genetically modified produce and seeds, and careful precautions are taken to label such products.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean governments, in 2012, decided to stick to the traditional methods and remained aloof towards GMO foods. America's GMO food aid was blatantly and staunchly refused by the Agriculture Minister, Joseph Made. The supporters criticized US for trying to spread their genetically altered products in the name of charity.
Paraguay
In 2012, when former President Fernando Lugo was replaced by Vice President Federico Franco, the agricultural scenario changed. They commercialized several varieties of transgenic corn and cotton.
Peru
Peru's new President, Ollanta Humala, legalized the import and produce of genetically engineered seeds, fish and livestock. According to the government, it only benefits the country's rich agricultural biodiversity and offers many benefits to Peru's strongly organically oriented agriculture.
Kenya
After falling for a highly contested French study about GMO corn possibly causing cancer in rats, Kenya banned GMO foods late in the month of November, 2012. The results of the arguable study remain inconclusive in the eyes of the scientific community.
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