'What is so frightening about transgenic crops?'

Norman Borlaug, father of the Green Revolution, believes genetically modified crops can help feed the world and prevent deforestation. He said in a conversation with Tierramérica that in the fight against hunger the major problem is equitable distribution.

SAN JOSE - Nobel Peace laureate Norman Borlaug, father of the Green Revolution, which dramatically expanded farm production in the 1950s and 1960s, is in favor of genetically modified crops as a tool for fighting world hunger. "Many ecologists have misrepresented the efforts," he says, referring to environmentalist groups' opposition to transgenic foods.

Borlaug, 88, a U.S. national, is considered by some experts to be the scientist who has saved the most lives in the world. His research in cross-hybridization achieved high-yield, pest-resistant corn and wheat varieties that has fed millions in poor countries.

Borlaug spoke with Tierramérica in Costa Rica, where he inaugurated the First International Conference on the Globalization of Agricultural Research (Feb 25-27), organized by the non-governmental Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center.

Tierramérica: What is your perspective on food security in the world?
Borlaug: Nobody can guarantee food security in countries that have rapid population growth. In a country like Germany, demographic expansion is practically zero, but in others, in developing countries, it reaches three percent annually. We are talking about the fact that the planet's population grows by 85 million human beings each year. That number is equivalent to more than 20 times the population of Costa Rica.

How do you see the panorama changing over the next 25 years?
In spite of the demographic increase, in the last 25 years the production of food has grown faster than the population. If we make a projection, we could predict that in 2025 the world will be populated by 8.3 billion people. Even so, I believe we can produce food for all those people. The big challenge is equitable distribution. The problem we face - and I hope it is resolved sooner rather than later - is political.

What is your position on genetically modified foods?
I am in favor of transgenics, and I'll explain why. The world has two options. The first is to continue cutting down trees, increasing erosion and damaging natural habitat in order to plant crops in soil that is not adequate for producing enough food for the world population. Or the second option: develop new technologies, combat pests more effectively and produce more per hectare. We must recognize that the increase in food production in the last 35 years has been due to the application of constantly improving technologies.

What do you think of the environmental groups that fight genetically modified crops?
I myself was an environmentalist in my youth. However, I see that many of today's ecologists have distorted the struggle. I can tell you that in Europe, the United States and Canada, very few people live in the countryside and that is why they are not aware of the urgent needs of millions of poor in developing countries.

As a scientist, do you rule out the risks that are being attributed to transgenic foods?
So far there is no scientific evidence that proves they are dangerous. Obviously, the chemical products have to be used in low doses and should not be abused.

Do you recommend the consumption of genetically modified food?
Transgenic products have been used for more than 20 years in pharmaceutical products, in medicine. I don't know why people are so afraid of their use in foods, because it is the same process as in medical products. Furthermore, most medicine is taken orally or through injections. There is no evidence that says transgenic products are harmful.

For more information about Norman Borlaug and his foundation connect yourself to: www.normanborlaug.org

* Néfer Muñoz is an IPS correspondent.