African countries intimidated by aggressive European lobbying shun life-saving biotechnology

The hunger and related diseases resulting from food insecurity are a humanitarian tragedy: An estimated 25,000 people per day die of malnutrition-related causes. Hungry children suffer worst, with low survival rates, stunted bodies and impaired cognitive development. Moreover, hunger has profound implications for peace and U.S. national security. Hungry people are desperate, and desperation often sows seeds of conflict and extremism.

The world needs a new green revolution. ... This new revolution won't succeed without new tools, namely biotechnology and genetically modified (GM) seeds, to meet the enormous demands for increased production. But Europeans oppose most GM technology, despite its proven safety and success in cutting pesticide use, raising output and adapting to adverse conditions. African countries in particular have been intimidated by aggressive European lobbying from deploying biotechnology, widely used in many places, including America - GM varieties comprise 80 percent of our corn crop.

Thomas Malthus warned 200 years ago that food production would not keep pace with population growth. He did not foresee how technology and innovation would forestall his dire predictions. Today, we can either succumb to Malthusian pessimism or once again invest in agriculture and embrace technological solutions inspired by the green revolution. It is both a moral and security imperative that we act.

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Norman Borlaug is a Nobel laureate and father of the green revolution.

As proof of the intransigence of some European countries, which continue to fight for superstious and politically motivated bans on GM crops at the expense of African children...

Austria and Hungary have asserted their right to ban cultivation of a genetically modified (GM) corn, known as MON810. ...it now seems likely that when the council of ministers next meets in June, it will uphold similar bans currently in place in France and Greece. ... Things will deteriorate further if Germany confirms statements released by its ministers of environment and agriculture ... that Berlin is considering a cultivation ban.

"EU Impasse over GM Deepens", Nature Biotechnology 27, 304 (2009)

"What? The little brown children have no food?! Let them eat organic vegetables!"
-Princess Europa

Never mind. Please disperse and go back to whatever you were doing.... nothing to see here... just move along...