Genetically Modified Organism in Africa Kyle Mark Marwan Erik Kyle Mark Marwan Erik

 Can genetically modified crops lead to a sustainable Africa?

GMOs  Alter genetic make up  Target specific traits (resistance to insects, increased nutrients etc…)  Alter genetic make up  Target specific traits (resistance to insects, increased nutrients etc…)

Interdependence  GMOs produce higher yields. But higher yields are useless without better distribution.  Better distribution produces less poverty. But better distribution is useless without higher yields.  GMOs produce higher yields. But higher yields are useless without better distribution.  Better distribution produces less poverty. But better distribution is useless without higher yields.

Cost of GMOs  Time and Money  Possibility of failure  Unknown Consequences (genetic erosion > loss of biodiversity)  Problems -----> Increased reliance on aid  Time and Money  Possibility of failure  Unknown Consequences (genetic erosion > loss of biodiversity)  Problems -----> Increased reliance on aid

Short Term  -Producers: Profits from selling GM crops -Consumers: Higher yields, more sustainable crops

Long Term  -Producers: need to help implement an infrastructure to support an agriculture industry -Consumers: need to use GM crops to stimulate economic growth

Resistance in Europe and Japan  European Union Ban on U.S. rice  Labels on GM food  Long term effects?  European Farmers  European Union Ban on U.S. rice  Labels on GM food  Long term effects?  European Farmers

Other Problems in Africa  AIDS (40 million + living w/ AIDS)  Rapid Population Growth (triple by 2050)  Political Conflict  AIDS (40 million + living w/ AIDS)  Rapid Population Growth (triple by 2050)  Political Conflict

 Simply throwing GMOs at a complex problem is a waste of resources.

Mutual Benefit  Producers + Consumers =  Producers and consumers need to work together to mutually benefit.  United States producers of GM crops are one of the largest beneficiaries to the increased production of GM crops.  Producers + Consumers =  Producers and consumers need to work together to mutually benefit.  United States producers of GM crops are one of the largest beneficiaries to the increased production of GM crops.

 Monsanto is a company that provides GM crops and seeds to consumers.  They posted record-profits in the first fiscal quarter of  Monsanto's first-quarter sales rose 10% to $1.54 billion, topping estimates of $1.53 billion  Monsanto is a company that provides GM crops and seeds to consumers.  They posted record-profits in the first fiscal quarter of  Monsanto's first-quarter sales rose 10% to $1.54 billion, topping estimates of $1.53 billion

Large Industry  + +  = $65 billion annual revenue  + +  = $65 billion annual revenue

 -US-GMO Companies are in a unique position.  Reclaim the prowess of the American corporate world.  Facilitate in new technological innovations that will:  a. revolutionize the agriculture industry  b. end worldwide hunger and poverty  -US-GMO Companies are in a unique position.  Reclaim the prowess of the American corporate world.  Facilitate in new technological innovations that will:  a. revolutionize the agriculture industry  b. end worldwide hunger and poverty

Take Aways  Hunger not only problem of Africa  Addressing only hunger is very narrow and linear thought  Need to think broader (shift toward systems thinking)  Hunger not only problem of Africa  Addressing only hunger is very narrow and linear thought  Need to think broader (shift toward systems thinking)

Further Research  More on each individual problem  More on interaction of problems/Aid with each other and at addressing problem of creating a sustainable Africa  More on each individual problem  More on interaction of problems/Aid with each other and at addressing problem of creating a sustainable Africa

Can GM foods lead to a sustainable Africa?  NO!  But they can play a major role.  NO!  But they can play a major role.

Works Cited  AAP General News Wire. Sydney, August 7, Page 1. Ababa, Addis. “ United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. ” 27 August  “ A Rice Dillemma. ” The Social Issues Research Centre. 12 February  De Lattre-Gasquet, Weili, Le Bruchec. “ Genetically modified plants in Africa: issues and research. ” OCL- Oleagineux Corps Gras Lipides, Page  Eicher, Carl K. “ Crop Biotechnology and the African Farmer. ” Food Policy, Page  Heslop, Louise A. “ Journal of Consumer Policy. ” Dordrecht, June Vol. 29, Iss. 2, page 203. Knight, John G, Mather, Damien W, Holdsworth, David K. “ British Food Journal. ” Bradford, Vol. 107,  Iss. 9, page 653.  Mandaro, Laura. “ Monsanto reaps profit on corn. ” MarketWatch. 4 January  Nevin, Tom. “ African Business. ” London, November Page 40. Nevin, Tom. “ Will GM Foods Overwhelm Africa? ” African Business, November Page Price, Stuart. “ Danger! The Hidden Perils of GM Crops. ” African Business, December Page  Shah, Anup. “ AIDS in Africa. ” Conflicts in Africa, 3 December Source online at:  Starling, Shane, Budgar, Laurie. “ Functional Foods. ” Paddock Wood, November Page 7.  “ Technologies to Feed the World. ” The National Academies Viljoen, Dajee. “ Detection of GMO in food products in South Africa: Implications of GMO labeling. ” GM  African Journal of Biotechnology, Page  Whitman, Deborah B. “ Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful? ” ProQuest CSA, April  Zerbe, N. “ Feeding the famine? American food aid and the GMO debate in Southern Africa. ” Food Policy,  Page  Zinkand, Dan. “ Who Benefits from GMO? ” Iowa Farmer Today, 29 March  AAP General News Wire. Sydney, August 7, Page 1. Ababa, Addis. “ United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. ” 27 August  “ A Rice Dillemma. ” The Social Issues Research Centre. 12 February  De Lattre-Gasquet, Weili, Le Bruchec. “ Genetically modified plants in Africa: issues and research. ” OCL- Oleagineux Corps Gras Lipides, Page  Eicher, Carl K. “ Crop Biotechnology and the African Farmer. ” Food Policy, Page  Heslop, Louise A. “ Journal of Consumer Policy. ” Dordrecht, June Vol. 29, Iss. 2, page 203. Knight, John G, Mather, Damien W, Holdsworth, David K. “ British Food Journal. ” Bradford, Vol. 107,  Iss. 9, page 653.  Mandaro, Laura. “ Monsanto reaps profit on corn. ” MarketWatch. 4 January  Nevin, Tom. “ African Business. ” London, November Page 40. Nevin, Tom. “ Will GM Foods Overwhelm Africa? ” African Business, November Page Price, Stuart. “ Danger! The Hidden Perils of GM Crops. ” African Business, December Page  Shah, Anup. “ AIDS in Africa. ” Conflicts in Africa, 3 December Source online at:  Starling, Shane, Budgar, Laurie. “ Functional Foods. ” Paddock Wood, November Page 7.  “ Technologies to Feed the World. ” The National Academies Viljoen, Dajee. “ Detection of GMO in food products in South Africa: Implications of GMO labeling. ” GM  African Journal of Biotechnology, Page  Whitman, Deborah B. “ Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful? ” ProQuest CSA, April  Zerbe, N. “ Feeding the famine? American food aid and the GMO debate in Southern Africa. ” Food Policy,  Page  Zinkand, Dan. “ Who Benefits from GMO? ” Iowa Farmer Today, 29 March 2001.