![Page 1: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World?
Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World?
A Scientific PerspectiveA Scientific Perspective
Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D.University of California, Berkeley
![Page 2: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Some Limitations on Biotechnology Applications
in DEVELOPED Countries
Intellectual property rights
Regulatory costs
Economic incentives
Scientific hurdles
Limited ability of public sector to
participate effectively
![Page 3: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Some Limitations on Biotechnology Applications
in DEVELOPING Countries
Legal issues
Lack of funding for public sector to participate effectively
Scientific and infrastructure insufficiencies
Unique political and economic hurdles
Societal inequalities
![Page 4: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
“Complex problems of hunger and agricultural development will not be solved by technological silver bullets” Peter Rosset, Food First
![Page 5: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Agricultural biotechnology is
more than just GMOs
Marker-assisted breeding led to new millet hybrid with downy mildew resistance
![Page 6: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Tissue Culture Used To Remove Diseases of Banana in Philippines
Tissue cultured banana plantation in Philippines
![Page 7: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
PCR for pest disease detection for bananas and papaya
![Page 8: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Productivity: Evidence for Bt Cotton Gains
Bt cotton in:
• United States: yield effect 0 – 15%
• China: yield effect 10%
• South Africa: yield effect 20%-40%
• India: yield effect 60 – 80 %
SOURCE: David Zilberman (UC Berkeley), Gregory Graff (UC Berkeley), Matin Qaim (University of Bonn) and Cherisa Yarkin (UC Berkeley)
Won’t intellectual property issues interfere?
![Page 9: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Insect Resistant Maize for Africa - IRMASyngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture
![Page 10: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
GE crops will not address small farmers’ needsOnly large agrochemical companies will benefit
Farmers will be dependent; seed diversity will be lost
Environmental risks - gene flow, insect resistance
Insufficiency of biosafety regulations
![Page 11: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Should African farmers and consumers make their own decisions on these issues?
![Page 12: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
How?
Participatory Rural Appraisals
Involving 900 Kenyan farmers from 43 villages
![Page 13: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
IRMA with Kenyan regulatory system did tests on corn for Bt-medicated stem borer resistance in laboratories and soon in biosafety greenhouses
Patent issues do not preclude local use
Bt maize can be commercialized locally
Bt is dominant; seed can be recycled; moved into local varieties
![Page 14: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
NO MAGIC BULLET
Bt maize
![Page 15: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Is this the only way to address the problems?
No, problems are different
Different ecology
Different health issues
Different agronomic limitations
![Page 16: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Sorghum – a staple food in parts of
Africa
USAID grant to address nutritional deficiencies
Digestibility
Amino acid imbalance
Are there potential problems?
Releasing GE varieties near wild relatives or weeds?
Working with U.S. and African sorghum breeders
Intellectual property rights?
![Page 17: Do We Need Genetically Modified Foods to Feed the World? A Scientific Perspective Peggy G. Lemaux, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062423/56649ebd5503460f94bc69bf/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Why did I become involved?
Part of my mandate as public sector scientist and CE
specialist
Is this the only answer?
Is this the best answer?
No, but it is something I want to and can do!