1. Embracing the Gene Revolution to Eenable Ffood Ssecurity
Introduction
We live in an ever-changing world. The green revolution has been responsible for
meeting the increasing demands of our growing hungry planet. What we need to
ask ourselves is; “How will we meet the challenges that the next 50 years
throws our way?”
Is embracing the “gene revolution” the answer to ensuring food security?
Imagine if you will the following scenario; an increase in population, dramatic
changes in climate that lead to global temperature rises, drought and floods
creating a shortage of available arable land and water, alongside an increase in
demand for meat and biofuels that limit the amount of food commercially
available. This scenario is possible and will impact on our food security, which has
the very real potential to lead to malnutrition amongst the poorest of our society.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs defines food security as;
"When all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to
sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food
preferences for an active and healthy life."
Current Situation
Despite the fact that the use of genetically modified crops has grown steadily
globally, currently no GM crops are being grown commercially in the UK.
In 1999 products containing GM soya were removed from sale following a media
backlash, with fears that GM crops could be harmful to health.

2. Current EU regulations impede the development of GM crops for both EU
markets and farmers.
Before Romania joined the EU, the country was growing GM soya beans for
export into Europe; however since joining the EU, Romania is now forbidden to
grow GM soya. A situation that is difficult to rationalise, on either side of the GM
debate.
Global Availability
The UK has a limited agricultural land supply and by 2050 the Office for National
Statistics expect the population to increase to over 77 million, making the UK
Europe’s biggest country by population, however the UK is only the 10th largest
European Country by land area.
Whilst the UK is currently a net importer for foods this cannot be taken for
granted.
It is imperative to increase crop yields in order to meet the increasing demands
the future will hold. This is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve solely from
conventional plant breeding, especially when considering challenges such as
climate change in addition to population growth.
Affordability (cost and nutrition)
It is widely accepted that increased crop yields lead to lower prices – which when
considering food security is critical due to the impact economics plays.
If the EU continues to take an isolated stand against GM foods, this will lead to
tensions between international trading partners and eventually if the take up of
GM crops increases, a rise in prices of foods containing non-GM products from
the EU will be seen.

3. The global food price spike of 2007-2008 caused concerns and created
international civil unrest. Whilst UK supermarkets have kept prices as low as
possible, the year-on-year decline in food prices that had been experienced since
the late 1990s has not returned.
In the UK the poorest 10% of the population spend 15% of their household
income on food, compared to 7% from the richest 10%. It is therefore evident
that those on low incomes are more heavily affected by a rise in food prices than
the wealthy.
An increase in the number of food banks provides further evidence that a rise in
food prices strongly impacts the poorest in society, with them requiring
emergency food help.
In 2010, a study by Dowler found evidence that an increasing number of
households within the UK were unlikely to be able to afford food that was safe
and nutritious enough to meet the current guidelines for healthy living - yet
another indicator that the food supply in the UK is not secure.
Nutritionally enhanced crops, through genetic modification, provide one way of
meeting the nutritional needs of the population and addressing the public health
dilemma of malnutrition.
Safety and Confidence
Historic failure of Government Regulation to protect the consumer, such as the
BSE crisis and recent horsemeat scandal has weakened public trust in the UK’s
food industry. This has lead to an over cautious approach to food within the UK.
Even in the highly litigious U.S, there have been no successful lawsuits, product
recalls or other evidence suggesting risk of harm from GM foods since they were
first introduced commercially in 1994.

4. There has not been a single substantiated case of GM food causing harm to
health despite over two trillion meals containing GM ingredients having been
consumed.
Currently the EU has a process based regulatory framework that is process based
and looks at how plants crops are generated, rather than a product based
approach which looks at their novel characteristics. We need to be looking at
plants and their properties on a case-by-case basis.
Many new plant-breeding techniques have been developed since GM legislation
was adopted in 1990. It is unclear whether the definition of “GM organism”
applies to plants produced with them- this in turn limits innovation.
An efficient risk assessment system is vital. Currently there is no consensus
between EU Regulators on what constitutes environmental harm. This prevents a
clear hypothesis that would potentially link a GM crop characteristic to harm,
thereby making requirements open-ended and not allowing effective decision-
making!
Indeed the European Safety Advisory Council and others have stated that there is
no rational basis for the current stringent regulatory process.
A more effective solution would be to pass responsibility for approving
commercial cultivation to a national level; with the European Food Safety
Authority having an advising role in risk; similar to the current set-up for
pharmaceuticals.
Conclusion
Throughout human history, steady progress has been made to select crops for
their improved yields, taste, hardiness and so forth. Examples include Mendel's
pioneering work, to the more recent "green revolution" which prevented
starvation in Asia and South America due to the introduction of high yield crops.
GM crops are the next stage in the development of farming.

5. Comprehensive research has been carried out that determines GM foods to be
affordable, safe, nutritious and appropriate.
Food security is one of the biggest challenges we face - it is imperative that we act
now.

6. Comprehensive research has been carried out that determines GM foods to be
affordable, safe, nutritious and appropriate.
Food security is one of the biggest challenges we face - it is imperative that we act
now.