It is hard to trust GM when it is in the grip of a few global giants [View all]

[xchrom]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/feb/03/gm-food-grip-global-giants


Kernels of seed corn sit in a tray after being tested inside a Monsanto lab in the US. Photograph: Daniel Acker/Getty Images

Thirty years ago, genetic engineers hoped new technology would revolutionise world farming and reduce or even eliminate the need for fertilisers and pesticides. It was a noble idea that deserved success.

But only promises came. In the 1990s the public was told genetic modification would increase yields enough to feed the world. Now in an age of climate change we hear that GM can reduce climate change emissions, improve drought tolerance, stimulate growth and eliminate poverty.

Perhaps all these benefits to society will one day accrue, but my fear, after tens of billions of dollars of public and private research and development money have been spent by some of the world's most powerful companies, is that it has met a dead end.

Only a handful of GM food crops such as maize, soy and oilseed rape are grown widely and mostly in only a few countries.