Biotech Crops: Former U.S. President Carter Backs Biotechnology for Africa
Council for Biotechnology Information
July 8, 2007
Excerpt…
Jimmy Carter speaks out against anti-biotech "propaganda."
Growing biotech crops in Africa has gained another voice of support in former U.S. president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter.
In a speech in September at the United Nations University in Tokyo,1 Carter spoke about the need for further aid for sub-Saharan Africa. His goal in speaking was, "to address perhaps the most basic human right of all: for food to eat."
Carter spoke at length about the need for more aid targeted for agricultural development in Africa. He also made clear his objections to those who would keep the fruits of biotechnology out of the hands of people who need it most.
"We must combat the false propaganda of some European extremists who condemn the use of genetically modified seeds," Carter said. "Their misleading statements have been extremely damaging to Africa, where some misguided leaders have rejected such imports."
In 2002, several African countries debated whether to accept food aid — including corn developed with biotechnology — from the United States. In the end, only one country, Zambia, rejected the food aid outright. But the debate over the safety of biotech food that is eaten every day by North Americans continues as hunger becomes even more widespread in Africa….
Full article at Council for Biotechnology Information.
