Public awareness about bio-engineering is creating concern, confusion and fear, when such technology produces higher crop yields and helps the environment by reducing the need for pesticides.
That’s what speakers said at a forum hosted by the Northeast Agribusiness & Feed Alliance, at the Albany Marriott.
Consumers should evaluate genetically-modified foods individually before adopting a zero-tolerance policy against them, said Sarah Evanega, a Cornell University adjunct professor.
“Not all GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are created equal,” she said. “You have to evaluate these product lines on a case by case basis. An important place to start is: how much do people know? how decided are they? It’s important to reach people who aren’t actually decided on it.”
Kate Hall, managing director for the Council for Biotechnology Information, said biotechnology allows farms to grow more food on less land with less tillage, which reduces emissions from farm equipment and keeps carbon in the soil, instead of being released into the atmosphere.
Read full original article: Panelists tout GMO benefits