GM Maize Seen As
Insurance Against Climate Change
Author: Jo-Anne Smetherham
Publication:
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Via: AgBios
The race is on to produce mielies
genetically modified to withstand drought, which some scientists say could save
large numbers of people in Africa from starving, should global warming cause
southern
But sceptics say GM technology is
fraught with risks and cite a report from 400 agricultural experts stating GM
crops have no role to play in feeding the world.
The news of the drought-tolerant maize follows reports that
consumers are eating GM foods in a range of products, from cereals to baby
food, and half the maize produced in
Multinational company Monsanto is already testing
drought-resistant maize in the
The resurrection plant, Xerophyta viscosa, grows in the cracks of the Drakensberg.
It can lose 95% of its water and remain dormant, looking dead, for months. When
given water, it springs back to life in about 72 hours.
Monsanto Africa managing director Kobus
Lindeque said its drought-tolerant maize should be
commercially available by 2013. However, the tests are for an American strain.
Thomson is working with a South African variety. She said it
would take a decade for her maize to enter the market.
Genetically modified maize would not survive in a desert,
but would survive dry periods.
Leslie Liddell, director of GMO monitoring group Biowatch, pointed to a report released in April by 400
agricultural experts in the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge,
Science and Technology for Development .
This said GM crops were "contentious", and
"many of the risks to the environment, human health and are as yet
unknown".
South African maize fields produce half the yields of those
in
SOURCE:
agbios.com