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The development and judicious use of agricultural biotechnology offers important contributions to food security and sustainability. Key contributions include improved yield, heightened pathogen and herbivore resistance, enhanced nutrient content, improved product quality, reduced spoilage, as well as entirely new traits.
With new GE lines ready to pass through regulatory oversight, many of which originate from developing countries, we regard this as a pivotal moment for global acceptance of agricultural biotechnology. However, we note that some countries, international regulators, and even biotechnology companies seem willing to forego useful applications of GE crops.
An agricultural model that combines the best features of traditionally bred and GE crops can make major contributions to global food security. We argue that revising regulations guided by experience of many thorough biosafety studies from the past 25 years will make it feasible to apply these technologies to crop improvement of minor crops and crops important to the nourishment and economic well-being of a greater segment of the world’s population. Improving public communication and education are also critical to realizing the benefits of GE crops. … GE crops provide a valuable technical alternative among the variety of approaches that can and should be responsibly marshaled to feed a growing population.
Read full, original post: Crop biotechnology: a pivotal moment for global acceptance
