BIOTECHNOLOGY AND FARMING

RICE  10 YEARS- 150 million dollars later……………………..  Rice that is enriched with vitamin A- it was modified using 2 genes- one from a daffodil and one from a bacteria.  The result is rice high in beta carotene – the body converts it to vitamin A  Vitamin A prevents blindness

GREEN REVOLUTION  Used cross breeding of 2 plant varieties  Biotechnologists move desirable genes from one organism to another- plant to plant or animal to plant.  New attempts have been made to use soil bacterium- introduce it to plants to help them become resistant to pests.

Cost benefit controversy BENEFITS  Crops- taste quality  Higher yield  Improved resistance  Animals- hardiness, resistance, productivity  Higher yield (eggs, milk)  Improved health  Environment-conservation (soil, water)  better waste management  Society- greater food security CONTROVERSY  Safety- human health impact- allergy, resistance, impact on other organisms  Access/intellectual property- few dominate world supply  Exploitation  Dependency on industrialized nations  Ethics- tampering with nature  ? Of consuming animal genes in plants or vice versa  Mixing genes  Stress on animals  Labeling- not mandatory everywhere  Society- interests of rich countries over poor

FOOD PRODUCTION ISSUES FOR THE FUTURE  LOSS OF GENETIC DIVERSITY:  75% of genetic diversity of crops was lost in the 20 th century  Research is forever ongoing- goal is through diversity and modification and develop resistant varieties to protect against crop destruction and famine.  IRISH POTATO FAMINE 1840: 2 varieties of potatoes grown- disease hit both nearly 1 million people died  Florida citrus canker- destroyed crops

Organic farming  Established due to concerns over pesticide residue on crops and use of antibiotics in livestock. - GMO not tested enough  No real definition of ORGANIC – use of crop rotation, no pesticides, no GMO and no chemicals.  Often two or more crops will be produced in the same field

CORPORATE FARMING  Loss of family farms  Large farms – often have economic advantages  Manitoba and Ontario- large hog farms have cornered the market on pork products  Concern exists over contamination of water supplies due to the large scale production and corporate focus.  Large corporations have control over use of herbicide and fertilizers- corporate connections (business helping business)  Historically large corporate farms have cornered markets and become powerful – even politically in nations 1800 United Fruit in Guatemala – gained political power and over threw the gov’t.  Huge AGRI-BUSINESS can have immense economic and political power.

ALTERNATIVE METHODS  HYDROPONICS:  Controlled growing conditions  No soil used (water and fertilizer) therefore no soil disease or pests  Greenhouses in desert areas  Canada- tomatoes, cucumbers are grown in winter  AQUACULTURE:  Over fishing in oceans  Enhanced fish supply  Cheaper- salmon and trout  Issue- if they “escape” fish farms and breed in the wild (genetically modified and wild)

Land Reform  Distribution of land to benefit all residents (not just the rich)  In Guatemala 10 large land owners control 93% of farm land. AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES  Huge is USA & EU- provide wheat subsidies to developing nations  Poor farmers in developing world are at a disadvantage  Canadian gov’t is not as generous with subsidies.  Subsidies can be important in maintaining food supplies.

ROLE OF WOMEN  Women produce 50% of world food (80% in sub Saharan Africa and S. Africa)  While they are the main producers they have little power to influence the system or decisions made.