Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations

Elina Tserlin and Arin Belden

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Science and Cognition

Geneva, NY 14456

International Concerns Regarding Bt Corn

Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN (FAO)

Establishment of the United Nations– Initiated in 1945 – International nutrition levels – Standards of living

Goals– Alleviate hunger and poverty– Provide food security– Preserve natural resources

Functions– Gather and analyze information– Organize programs– Serve as clearinghouse

Slide 2

FAO’ s Views Toward Genetically Engineered Crops: Bt Corn

FAO– Voice of poverty-struck nations– Helps cease famine– Provides to needy

Bt corn – Sent to feed starving nations– Higher crop yield– Vast impacts on environment

Slide 3

Current Endeavors Present in Impoverished Countries

Mexico– Birthplace of Maize– Stressful Farming Conditions– Contaminated with genetically modified DNA

60% in the villages of Oaxaca and Puebla1

India– Transfer of genes from GM crops to wild relatives– Super weeds evolve

resistant cannot be killed by pesticides

– Competition with food for water, nutrients, light 5% of crop loss2

Slide 4

1von der Weid, 20022Times of India, 2001

Spread of Bt Corn and Its Effect on Native Species

Bt Corn– Sent to starving nations by US– Often importing countries not aware of GM crop– Potential Harm to Starving Individuals3

Consequences– Cross Pollination– Genes unintentionally spread to other maize species– native species gets lost

Slide 5

3Benbrook, 2002

Biodiversity and Its Importance to Nations

Biodiversity– Variability among organisms– Crucial for alternatives– Equilibrium

Native Species– Tolerant

Native parasites Native temperatures

– Needed to fall back on– Allows country to have its own crops4

independence

Slide 6

4Quist et al., 2001

FAO’s Evaluation of Bt Corn as International Matter

Advantages of Bt corn– Increase agricultural production– Meet world’s food demands– Supports non-developing countries

Disadvantages of Bt corn– Destroys native plants– Loss of Biodiversity– No fallback

Slide 7

Actions of FAO Regarding Bt Corn

Forum– Hold meetings for international discussions– Analyze new technological advances

Inform nations– Hold radio broadcasts where farmers share techniques5

– Projects that check efficiency of soil– Provide field training courses

Final Decision– Placed in hands of individual governments

Slide 8

5International Broadcast on Farm Radio Broadcasting, 2001

References

Slide 9

1. Von der Weid, J.M. (2002, February 6). Letter to Dr. Jacques Diouf, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, pp. 1-3.2. Scientists Fear Invasion of “Super Weeds.” (2001, November 12). The Times of India3. Benbrook, C. (2002, September 27). Letter to Distinguished Delegates from Zambia, Benbrook Consulting Services, pp. 1-2.4. Quist D, Chapela, I. (2001). Transgenic DNA Introgressed into Traditional Maize Landraces in Oaxaca, Mexico. Nature, 414, 541-543.5. International Broadcast on Farm Radio Broadcasting (2001). Retreived from www.fao.org