A new technology is emerging in Australia that may lead to a genetically modified variety of wheat that could withstand severe drought and increase yields by 20 per cent.
Professor German Spangenberg said that 35-50 per cent of wheat growing areas around the world were regularly exposed to drought conditions, and this new modification could help ensure they have successful crops.
The trials are being conducted in Australia’s Victoria state and after encouraging initial findings last year, a second trial crop has just been planted.
Spangenberg spoke out against countries and governments that are wary of the genetically modified organism trend saying, “There is a risk when societies - manipulated by irrational fear - become technophobic and thus create disincentives for innovation and for adoption of new technology, hindering economic, environmental and other societal benefits that would be otherwise accrued.”
He added that the pressure of global warming had contributed to recent falling yields and that GM must be considered as part of the solution.
“We have seen the production output in eight major cereal-exporting countries, which represent approximately half of global production, drop by 4 per cent in 2005 and by 7 per cent in 2006,” he said.
Spangenberg and his team estimate that the commercial cultivation of the drought resistant wheat to be 5-10 years off, and are also investigating opportunities to take the drought resistant application to other crops.
The issues of genetically modified foods are going to be one of the big issues of the 21st century, as the population grows and the traditional agriculture is challenged to keep up. Can GMOs actually save us from reaching the limits of population, or will the affects be detrimental? Some people may be willing to make compromises of their beliefs about GMOs and their fears, and take a chance given that these types of foods could have a positive outcome. But others won’t and will continue to fight for stricter legislation and more research before these types of foods hit the market. As I talk about in my book, there is little in the way of testing for these foods, and, given the issues surrounding it and the amount of money involved, can GM be stopped?
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