Michel Ferry [6 November] makes the valid point that problems facing the developing world are always complex, and often require complex or multifaceted solutions. He cites claims for Vitamin A rice as an example of the mechanical reasoning of the technologists which is insufficient for the problem at hand. Perhaps I have missed the more extravagant claims for vitamin A rice, but those I have seen coming from the research groups involved have claimed that vitamin A rice can contribute to alleviating vitamin A deficiency in those areas of the world where rice is a staple part of the diet and vitamin A deficiency is a problem. No doubt there will be many years of development ahead before the molecular genetic modification can be translated into highly productive cultivars useful for widespread field application, but the basic argument seems intuitively plausible. The argument seems to have been accepted by many agencies, including those with extensive experience in the field. So it would be helpful to our discussion if Michel (or others) could elaborate on what is the basis of his criticism of the developers of vitamin A rice, as an example of the general problem he cites.
Professor John P. Gibson
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-----Original Message-----Professor John P. Gibson wrote [7 November]: "So it would be helpful to our discussion if Michel (or others) could elaborate on what is the basis of his criticism of the developers of vitamin A rice, as an example of the general problem he cites."
Well, I will try. But I believe the issue is exactly the inverse, Prof. Gibson. This is...if somebody is suggesting golden rice against hunger or against blindness... I suppose that suggester should demonstrate what is the basis of his respective suggestion.
But I will try a little help. Please, tell me an example. Where is the target people ? Who are they ? What are they eating ? Why aren't they eating carrots, fruits and others vitamin A sources ? How are they getting their rice intake ? And about protein, calcium, iron...?
It is so strange, when people are spending years and years in genetic research... and they couldn't spend a few hours presenting us with these complementary data (which should be in the literature, shouldn't they ?). If the conclusions and suggestions about GMOs are based on the scientific methodology... of course, the conclusions and suggestions about Hunger and Poverty should be too, shouldn't they ? I would be very happy if I could be convinced.
Prof. Luiz Eduardo Carvalho[To contribute to this conference, send your message to biotech-room1@mailserv.fao.org For further information on the FAO Electronic Forum on Biotechnology in Food and Agriculture see http://www.fao.org/biotech/forum.asp ]
-----Original Message-----Before the discussion goes any further, I think it is worth inserting a brief note here about agriculture and food availability in the "3rd world" vs actual hunger issues.
People in the developed world get a distorted (bad) picture of life in these countries from our news programs - which naturally tend to concentrate upon disasters and famines etc., rather than the norms of life. There are many issues to discuss regarding the application of Bio-technology to such emergencies, but I think these are not quite the same as the day to day issues of agriculture and food supply in most countries most of the time, which are also pertinant - but perhaps not for this forum.
I hope we can keep these two subject areas separate, although any guidelines here would be appreciated!
Dr Trevor Fenning.[The focus of this conference is not on the implications or applications of biotechnologies to natural disasters or to emergencies caused by human/social conflicts. The application of biotechnologies to agriculture and food supply in developing countries so that they might increase food security and reduce the risk of famine would on the other hand be a relevant topic for discussion. The Background Document to the conference provides more details....Moderator]
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