Seeds of Contention: World Hunger and the Global Controversy Over GM Crops (International Food Policy Research Institute) (Paperback)

"A timely contribution on an important issue. It is great to have an unemotional, broad-based assessment of genetically modified crops." -- Lester Brown, Worldwatch Institute

"This book presents a balanced perspective on the potential benefits and risks of modern biotechnology for developing-country food and agriculture and suggests action to reduce risks and increase benefits. It is an excellent and highly welcome addition to the ongoing debate on biotechnology and GM foods." -- Gordon R. Conway, President, The Rockefeller Foundation

"A contentious debate has surrounded the rising use of genetically modified crops in agriculture... This volume succeeds well in explaing the technical issues involved and in presenting a balanced view of competing views." -- J.B., Population and Development Review

"This book is very much appreciated for focusing the debate on the right of developing countries to make their own decisions about this controversial technology." -- European Review of Agricultural Economics

"The authors are to be congratulated for explaining the difficult issues in such a readable and engaging way, without compromising the scientific integrity." -- C. Ramasamy, Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics

"Synoptic and well founded assessment." -- Daniel Alker, Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture

In recent years the media have reported, frequently with alarm, on the increasing use of genetically modified crops in agriculture. Some groups have expressed concern about consumer safety and the risks of large-scale ecosystem damage. Others have noted the resulting shift of power away from locally controlled farming operations toward large agribusiness and biotech companies, and the particular vulnerability of farmers in the developing world to this trend.

In Seeds of Contention: World Hunger and the Global Controversy over GM Crops, development specialists Per Pinstrup-Andersen and Ebbe Schiøler focus attention on the less discussed issues of the potential benefits and costs of genetically modified crops for developing countries. Pinstrup-Andersen and Schiøler review the basic issues and discuss the potential that such crops have for addressing the great needs of poor and undernourished peoples throughout the world. They explain how increased agricultural productivity is not enough in addressing the problem of famine. People in developing countries need crops that are disease-resistant, can fend off insect predators, and can withstand severe environmental conditions in order to produce larger crop yields.

Pinstrup-Andersen and Schiøler are sober in their assessment of these prospects, for they acknowledge that GM crops alone will not solve the world's food problem. They argue, however, that they may be one element in the solution and people in developing countries should have information about benefits and risks and the freedom to make their own decisions about whether or not to grow and consume GM crops.