Biofortification of Foods

Having just tried to slog my way through one disturbing book on the overuse of rivers, dams and ground water throughout the world to grow genetically modified crops (“When the Rivers Run Dry”) and completed reading another more up-beat one on the problems with eating too much meat and not enough organic foods (“Harvest for Hope”), this article on the wonders of biofortified foods surely is a contrast! Is there no right way to feed the world’s hungry? I’m glad that daffodils can serve a purpose besides beauty, but really – I wonder if the people using all this technology really know what they’re doing or is it all just a way to make money! Ethel Smith in MN

3 comments for “Biofortification of Foods

  1. Yes, money is not only the root of
    all evil but the root of good in this world
    no way to feed the hungry- more food
    will lead to more hungry mouths until
    pestilence lessens the burden.
    You cannot feed more people than you
    are able to grow food for- so atttend to more
    profitable thoughts- such as the beauty of
    the flowers, or of the snow depending
    upon whom is with us.
    Happy Thanksgiving
     John
    >

  2. Try reading Stuffed & Starved. It should go well with what you just read. Not everyone likes Vandana Shiva, but she makes some good points in her books, especially about GM crops and the effect they have on native varieties. GM is also affecting our forests. And one of the latest is that some would like to use GM on people so vaccinations would not be necessary. I think a lot of people genuinely want to help, but I keep thinking of DDT that was thought to be the saving grace of the world. The book Dirt by Montgomery makes the pitch that without attention to our soil, nothing will grow anyway. If one is a utilitarianist, GM may make sense, but I don’t think it is worth the risk. There are other ways to feed the masses.
    Colleen
    —-

  3. Since when is it a crime to make money?
     
    As long as the decision to adopt new technology is left to the consumer and not forced on them by government pressure in the form of mandates, bans, and regulations, and is not subsidized by the taxpayer without their direct consent, then I have confidence science will lead us in the right direction.   
     
    Chriss Rainey
     
     
     
     
     

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