title: Can the world afford to ignore biotechnology solutions that address food insecurity?
abstract: Genetically engineered (GE) crops can be used as part of a combined strategy to address food insecurity, which is defined as a lack of sustainable access to safe and nutritious food. In this article, we discuss the causes and consequences of food insecurity in the developing world, and the indirect economic impact on industrialized countries. We dissect the healthcare costs and lost productivity caused by food insecurity, and evaluate the relative merits of different intervention programs including supplementation, fortification and the deployment of GE crops with higher yields and enhanced nutritional properties. We provide clear evidence for the numerous potential benefits of GE crops, particularly for small-scale and subsistence farmers. GE crops with enhanced yields and nutritional properties constitute a vital component of any comprehensive strategy to tackle poverty, hunger and malnutrition in developing countries and thus reduce the global negative economic effects of food insecurity.
authors: Department of Plant Production and Forestry Science, ETSEA, University of Lleida-Agrotecnio Center, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain.
authors: Judit
authors: J
authors: Berman
authors: Changfu
authors: C
authors: Zhu
authors: Eduard
authors: E
authors: Pérez-Massot
authors: Gemma
authors: G
authors: Arjó
authors: Uxue
authors: U
authors: Zorrilla-López
authors: Gemma
authors: G
authors: Masip
authors: Raviraj
authors: R
authors: Banakar
authors: Georgina
authors: G
authors: Sanahuja
authors: Gemma
authors: G
authors: Farré
authors: Bruna
authors: B
authors: Miralpeix
authors: Chao
authors: C
authors: Bai
authors: Evangelia
authors: E
authors: Vamvaka
authors: Maite
authors: M
authors: Sabalza
authors: Richard M
authors: RM
authors: Twyman
authors: Ludovic
authors: L
authors: Bassié
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Capell
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Christou
mesh_terms: D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000191:economics / Q000235:genetics; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000191:economics; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D003906:Developing Countries; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000191:economics; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics*; D030841:Food, Genetically Modified / Q000191:economics*; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D012275:Oryza / Q000191:economics / Q000235:genetics; D011203:Poverty / Q000517:prevention & control; D003313:Zea mays / Q000191:economics / Q000235:genetics