Can the world afford to ignore biotechnology solutions that address food insecurity?

被引:13
|
作者
Berman, Judit [1 ]
Zhu, Changfu [1 ]
Perez-Massot, Eduard [1 ]
Arjo, Gemma [2 ]
Zorrilla-Lopez, Uxue [1 ]
Masip, Gemma [1 ]
Banakar, Raviraj [1 ]
Sanahuja, Georgina [1 ]
Farre, Gemma [1 ]
Miralpeix, Bruna [1 ]
Bai, Chao [1 ]
Vamvaka, Evangelia [1 ]
Sabalza, Maite [1 ]
Twyman, Richard M. [3 ]
Bassie, Ludovic [1 ]
Capell, Teresa [1 ]
Christou, Paul [1 ,4 ]
机构
[1] Univ Lleida, Dept Plant Prod & Forestry Sci, ETSEA, Agrotecnio Ctr, Lleida 25198, Spain
[2] Univ Lleida, Dept Med, Inst Recerca Biomed Lleida IRBLleida, Lleida 25198, Spain
[3] Univ Warwick, Dept Biol Sci, Coventry CV4 7AL, W Midlands, England
[4] Inst Catalana Recerca & Estudis Avancats, Barcelona 08010, Spain
基金
欧洲研究理事会;
关键词
Genetically engineered crops; Food insecurity; Nutritionally enriched crops; Economic impact; GOLDEN RICE; CHILDHOOD MALNUTRITION; CAROTENOID PATHWAY; MULTIVITAMIN CORN; TRANSGENIC CROPS; IRON-DEFICIENCY; RISK-ASSESSMENT; IMPACT; HEALTH; COSTS;
D O I
10.1007/s11103-013-0027-2
中图分类号
Q5 [生物化学]; Q7 [分子生物学];
学科分类号
071010 ; 081704 ;
摘要
Genetically engineered (GE) crops can be used as part of a combined strategy to address food insecurity, which is defined as a lack of sustainable access to safe and nutritious food. In this article, we discuss the causes and consequences of food insecurity in the developing world, and the indirect economic impact on industrialized countries. We dissect the healthcare costs and lost productivity caused by food insecurity, and evaluate the relative merits of different intervention programs including supplementation, fortification and the deployment of GE crops with higher yields and enhanced nutritional properties. We provide clear evidence for the numerous potential benefits of GE crops, particularly for small-scale and subsistence farmers. GE crops with enhanced yields and nutritional properties constitute a vital component of any comprehensive strategy to tackle poverty, hunger and malnutrition in developing countries and thus reduce the global negative economic effects of food insecurity.
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页码:5 / 19
页数:15
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