GM crops a vital technology for farmers and society

MOST farmers would be aware of the deplorable actions that Greenpeace activists admitted to recently, where they took responsibility for destroying part of a genetically modified wheat trial near Canberra.
This was a trial conducted by government agency CSIRO, and which had been approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) which it rated as having negligible risks for people or the environment.
Such a vandalising and criminal act is inexcusable under any circumstances, but in this case it is also naïve and logic-defying.
It defies logic because there are clear and science-based arguments for the widespread benefits of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), including their benefits in terms of the environment and human health.
Interestingly enough, many of these environmental and health benefits are usually part of the Greenpeace cause but not apparently if they are delivered by GMO technology.
It is naïve because destroying something to gain the media spotlight is a clear sign of frustration and also, I believe, that their ‘arguments’ in the debate are watery and lacking supporting evidence.
It is about as mature as a three-year old resorting to throwing his toys across the room to get attention.
As with Greenpeace, the Greens political party is also determined to implement policies that would outlaw GMOs. Their policies include a moratorium on GMOs and removing all GMOs from the Australian environment.
Such policies, which operate in the isolation of inner-city affluence, should be a concern for farmers and greater society.
Let’s be clear. GMOs are already a vital and productive technology, and they will continue to play an increasingly important role across the world in the decades ahead as the population accelerates toward nine billion in 2050.
They have greatly reduced chemical use and improved farm efficiency, with the most notable example in Australia being cotton.
New GMO crops could also allow the more sustainable development of second-generation bio-fuels, and help steer us away from directing food crops into fuel production.
On the Horn of Africa as I write this there are sadly millions of people impacted by drought and more than 10,000 people have died, including many children.
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd pointed out recently the role of GM crops in Africa in feeding those impacted by the famine and also that some of the aid packs of food contained GMO ingredients.
In addition, are the anti-GM crusaders aware that just one of the many traits being bred in GMO crops is a trait that allows for increased drought-tolerance?
Are they aware that forthcoming new traits will improve the nutritional value of many foods?
These new crops could ideally be grown with greater efficacy in poorer regions such as Africa, and likewise create even higher yields in other parts of the world.
In coming years there will be immense pressure on farmers to increase their productivity to feed and clothe the growing population.
Likewise, drought will always be a problem in places such as Africa and Australia, so it makes sense that water-efficiency traits will be an important future technology.
I am not advocating for technology to run un-checked – because the GMO industry is under heavy scrutiny and regulation – but as a reminder that the anti-GM crusade needs a reality check.
If nothing else, with Greenpeace taking credit for destroying this wheat with whipper-snippers, they may have exposed the weakness of the anti-GMO debate and shot their crusade in the foot. The general public does not support vandalism and criminal acts, and welcomes a mature debate where all the issues can be explored without emotional rhetoric.
It is a debate that agricultural industries are happy to have, and one that the Federal Government needs to embrace and encourage as it progresses its National Food Plan.