As I mentioned last week, a major coalition of farm, food and anti-hunger organizations joined 30 institutions of higher education in praising the World Food Prize Foundation for shining a spotlight on agricultural biotechnology with this year’s World Food Prize theme, “The Next Borlaug Century: Biotechnology, Sustainability and Climate Volatility.” This morning, three Universities followed up with an op-Ed in the Des Moines Register. David Chicoine, president of South Dakota State University, Steven Leath, president of Iowa State University, and Phyllis Wise, chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, all agree:
“Because of modern approaches to genetic research, plant breeding is now more precise and predictable. After 20 years of widespread use of GM crops in the United States, no related food safety risks have emerged and foods can be fortified in ways that can’t be done through traditional breeding…In addition, GM is enabling farmers to produce more using less land, fertilizers, chemicals, fuel and water. The positive impact on the environment can be immeasurable. In short, the genetic modification of seeds does not degrade the environment; it helps to sustain the environment.”
To view the op-Ed in its entirety, click here.
To view the original letter and list of signatories, click here.
