This year, 2014 is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Norman Borlaug, founder of the Green Revolution.
The world faced a Malthusian food crisis after World War II, given rapid population growth after the introduction of mass vaccinations and antibiotics. Environmentalists like Paul Ehrlich predicted global disaster. But Borlaug’s hybrid wheat experiments produced new dwarf varieties that revolutionised yields, increasing farm incomes and food availability at the same time. He has been praised for saving one billion lives, more than anybody in history.
Borlaug was an outspoken supporter of GM crops. He blasted anti-GM activists as alarmists ignorant of nature and spreading falsehoods based on imaginary dangers. “There is no evidence that biotechnology is dangerous. After all, Mother Nature has been doing this kind of thing (crossing genes) for god knows how long.” He dismissed anti-GM activists as people who had not produced a kilo of food but yelped about biosafety.
Prakash Javadekar, as environment minister, you must kindly honour Borlaug on his centenary by accepting his position on GM crops, and promoting the research that he held essential for the future of humanity.
Read the full, original article: Honour Norman Borlaug on his centenary by approving GM crops
