Genetically Engineered Food Could Be Lifeline for Developing World WASHINGTON, D.C. - In the developed world, societies enjoy abundant diets more varied now than at any other time in histo ry. That’s in stark contrast to the developing world where millions of people confront profound food insecurity every day. Part of the solution to right ing this imbalance might involve something that is increasingly controversial in the developed world; genetically engineered food, Cornell University’s Susan McCouch, associate professor of plant breeding, asks if it is ethi cal for well-fed people in the United States, Canada, and Europe to ignore the potential of biotechnology to improve the nutritional status of hungry peo ple around the world, particular ly when the same technology is being used to extend life expectancy by producing phar maceuticals. McCouch made her observations in her talk, “Is lasts lbwbeb *2B j •J3' ii ujt Mm j'jjjjuijjjjij Slimiia M!j Mail lijjypii te 7!f ILB, • 1-24’ x 14’6" AlumaSteel" Sliding Double End Door * 2 ’ Gable Overhangs • 1-22’ 6" x 13’AlumaSteel’ Sliding Double Side Door • Continuous Ridge Ventilation System • 1-3’ x 6’B” 9100 9-Lite KYNAR 500’ Insulated Walkdoor • Exterior Hi-Rib Steel Wainscot with Interior Protective Liner • 2-4’x 3’9-Lite Insulated Sliding Windows with Screens and Shutters • Premium KYNAR 500* Roof Paint System • 4 Skylights * Premiuni KYNAR 500' Sidewall Paint System 800-447-7436 • 2-3’6” x 3’6” Cupolas without fan topped with Morton Weather Vane * Morton Gutters and Downspouts jhk MABTAM M’ Vented Sidewall Overhangs • Full Morton Warranty BUILDINGS All warranties include material and labor and an nor prorated Special pricing includes taxes materials deliver unloading, amabor to erect within 40 miles of a Morton Buildings nc construction center Customer must provide a site prepared lo Morton Buildings Inc Site Specifications Form 153 a |i e a level site without underground obstruction) and participate in Monon s progressive garment plan Prices mav var> because of locJ building codes Due lo local price variations pncng does no. include concrete Prices mav var> for e.erv 1 000 feel over 6 000 feet of elevation Offer expires Apnl 30 2000 KYNAR 500' Trademark of Elf Alochem NA • ■ AlumaSleeP Trademark of Morion Buildings Inc Gettysburg, PA 717-624-3331 Meadville, PA 814-336-5083 Mt. Pleasant, PA 717-542-7930 Phlllipsburg, NJ 908-454-7900 Biotechnology the Answer?” at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C. If used appropriately, agricul tural biotechnology can help alleviate world hunger and mal nutrition, said McCouch, noting the development of genetically engineered rice to produce iron or provitamin A (beta carotene) as an example of a product that has the potential directly to improve the quality of life for millions. “People who suffer from mal nutrition generally lack essen tial levels of micronutrients because they lack the purchas ing power to obtain sufficient diversity in their diet,” said McCouch. The impact of deliver ing those essential micronutri ents through food products such as enriched yellow rice is paral lel [in the United States] to for tifying milk with vitamin D, salt • 1-27’ x 14’6” AlumaSteel* Sliding Double End Door • Premium KYNAR 500" Trim Paint System • 1-22’ 6” x 13’ AlumaSteel' Sliding Double Side Door • Morton Gutters and Downspouts • 1-3’ x 6’B” 9100 KYNAR 500' Insulated Walkdoor * Free Morton Weather Vane (no glass) • White Polyester Roof and Sidewall Paint System with iodine or orange juice with calcium.” Transgenic rice, she noted, offers immediate assis tance as a staple food to people in need. McCouch said she believes there is evidence of public sup port for the use of genetic engi neering to improve diet and nutrition in the developing world. In her view, people sup port the technology when they see societal benefits, not just cor porate benefits. Some opinion surveys show that people initial ly are uncomfortable with the idea of using biotechnology to transfer genes between organ isms, she said, but those reser vations can be overcome if peo ple perceive a particular ethical ly or morally persuasive benefit. McCouch said that careful consideration must be given to different kinds of agricultural systems around the world, and the risks weighed against the benefits to those different sys • Full Morton Warranty • Items not called out are not included tems. “Clearly, not all people have the same choices nor will they have the same preferences,” she said. While the term biotechnology was originally coined during the industrial revolution, it has evolved into its contemporary meaning only in the last 25 years, which McCouch defined as modifying living things to suit human needs and prefer ences. “According to this defini tion, humans have practiced biotechnology for about 10,000 years, or as long as they have practiced agriculture,” she said. “Most of our domesticated food and fiber species have been altered through traditional crossing and selection to such an extent that they are no longer capable of surviving in the wild,” said McCouch. Instead they prosper when nurtured and cul tivated by human beings. The interaction of natural processes and human activity has given LOOKS BETTER LASTS LONGER 36,395 P. O. Box 399, Morton, IL 61550 www mortonbutldings com 02000 Morton Buildingi Inc HWV 007)41 / #C» C034M2 Version ED Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 22, 2000-A29 rise to novel agro-ecosystems and is responsible for generating and sustaining a vast array of genetic and ecological diversity on the planet. Today, most people associate biotechnology with genetic manipulation at the DNA level, said McCouch. But not all biotechnology involves genetic engineering. “A large part of what biotechnology represents today is new knowledge about the natural processes of DNA replication, breakage, ligation and repair that has paved the way for a much deeper under standing of the mechanics of cell biology and the hereditary process itself.” This new knowledge, she said, has brought us to the edge of an ethical dilemma. While the ability to manipulate the hered itary process is not new, the depth of our understanding of this process has changed and the knowledge we have gained has opened up an endless array of possibilities for affecting future evolutionary trajectories. “How the potential of the human imagination and cre ative spirit should be nurtured, guided, interpreted and ulti mately directed and controlled with respect to biotechnology is a question of profound social, economical and ethical dimen sions,” said McCouch. “It deserves to be discussed, con templated and digested at all levels of society.” \ [?l A 1l w m, SlinOaori Environmental solutions - Consulting & engineering 1 Compliance and permitting for air, water & soil 2 Dust and odor control - bag houses & cyclones 3 Liquid separation, drying, filtration and treatment 4 Fuel handling for solid, liquid, gaseous & waste fuel 5 Retrofit burners and controls for waste fuels 6 Mobile incineration service Meets DEP & ERA regs 7 Custom fabricated products for unusual applications WATERLESS TOILETS “Sun-Mar” Composting Toilets Several models available including non-electric. • NO Septic System • NO Chemicals i Save the Environment' Recycle Back to Nature l FREE: 12 Page Color Catalog IVe Perform Septic Inspections &, Certifications ECO-TECH Call Today 1-800-879 0973 , i BUSINESS DRYING UP? 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