October 19, 2009
Biotech crops key in alleviating world hunger
Genetically modified crops will play a key role in helping alleviate world hunger while at the same time conserving precious farm land in impoverished countries, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday (October 16).
The Obama administration believes "biotechnology has a critical role to play in increasing agricultural productivity," Clinton told reporters in a teleconference to mark World Food Day.
Sharing biotechnology advancements made in the US as well as helping foreign countries develop seeds targeted at their specific needs are the two key strategies in helping African and other countries better feed their populations.
Clinton said US advances in crop science can help foreign farmers, but the US also wants "to support research in the countries themselves and work with credible organizations like the Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute so we can assist them in tailoring biotechnology solutions for their particular situation."
US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who spoke with Clinton on the teleconference, said genetically modified seeds might be offered to developing countries "royalty-free," if that's what they need.
"We will find that there will be circumstances where biotechnology is the answer," Vilsack said, but not always and the US can be flexible in help it offers.
