National Geographic: GM crops improve food productivity and help feed the world

 The July 2011 issue of National Geographic discusses the role of genetically modified crops in increasing food productivity and meeting hunger needs around the world. Read more.

 Kenya plans to release first GM cotton crop

Business Daily, a Kenyan publication, says the country will release seeds for its first genetically modified cotton crop in 2014. The article says the technology will benefit farmers because it will double yields and is part of the government’s efforts to increase the value of small-scale farming and to mitigate rural poverty. Read more.

Biotechnology becoming more widely adopted globally

According to Pioneer Press, biotechnology is becoming more widely adopted around the world and “it has made crop farming easier” and more competitive. Read more.

USDA continues to show support for GM crops, Washington Post reports

The Washington Post points out that the USDA has continued to strengthen the position of GM crops with the approval of GM alfalfa, GM corn and limited approval of GM sugar beets. The article notes that USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has “long supported genetic engineering.” Read more.

Genetic modification used to fight banana disease in Uganda, CNN reports

According to CNN, research shows that genetic modification may help to fight banana disease in Uganda, the world’s second largest producer of the crop. Thirty percent of Uganda’s banana crop has been infected with the disease. Professor Wilberforce Tushemereirwe at the National Banana Research Program, which is leading the research project, says, “Results from the lab were promising.” He added in the article, “indications are that the field results will follow suit.” Read more

Michael Le Page explores a number of positive uses of genetically modified organisms in this September 14th article. Le Page praises the use of genetics in boosting oil yields from algae, turning plant wastes into fuel, plants that use nitrogen more efficiently provide the same yields as normal crops with less fertilizer, to genetically modified crops that resist pests and disease.

The article can be read here.