Every day thousands of children in developing nations die of
starvation. But scientists at U.C. Davis are working on new technology to
bring them and a lot of other people healthier food. The problem.. some
wonder if it's safe.
You're looking at the latest in what's called seed biotechnology.
Critics call it food altering, but scientists believe engineering the gene
make up of crops, like rice, can increase food production while also making
it more nutritious.

Professor Kent Bradford says, "If we're going to double or triple food
production without taking over rain forests, marginal lands, areas for
wildlife and so on, then we have to be able to produce crops very
efficiently and at high yield."

Researchers are convinced the new technology can help feed more people
around the world in a way that's better for the environment.

Jorge Mayer says, "You can reduce the use of pesticides by introducing
a gene that is not available in the genetic diversity of a crop and reduce
the use of pesticides."

But critics from the environmental community say they are troubled by
the concept of modifying the genetic code for crops.

Dan Jacobson says, "There's nothing wrong with feeding the world. The
questions and concerns that we have are - is it a safe way to feed the
world? And that hasn't been proven at all yet."

But many scientists insist the technology is safe, and that
genetically engineered crops are already in production on 200-million acres
worldwide. Critics say they'd like that food to be labeled clearly for
consumers.

[www.ktiv.com]