United Nation warnings about a global food crisis coupled with food
riots and unrest in a half dozen countries should put the hunger issue on
the world's plate.
The prospect of a shortage raises questions about food production and
use. Questions such as: Can we afford to use food to make biofuel? Can the
poorest and hungriest countries in the world continue to shun using
genetically modified crops to increase food production?



Most Americans are in no danger of starving because milk, eggs,
bread -- and just about everything else -- costs more. But for people in
developing countries who survive on $1 a day or less, rising food prices can
literally be a life or death proposition.



World food prices have risen 83 percent in the last three years and
have led to riots in the Caribbean , Africa and Asia . Rice alone is up 141
percent since January. The World Bank warns that 33 countries are at risk
from hunger-driven social upheaval.



Even so, many of the countries with the greatest need continue to
resist planting or importing genetically modified (GM) crops. Global
campaigns against such crops have influenced public attitudes and government
policy. The crops have been dubbed "suicide seeds," "Frankenfood," and
"Terminator technology," by environment groups, even though there is no
scientific evidence disputing their safety.



More than 12 years after being introduced as a way to grow cheaper,
faster, pest-free food in drought-stricken and other harsh climates,
genetically modified crops are not widely used. They account for only 4
percent of total global cultivation. Most of the world's genetically
enhanced crops are produced in just five countries: the United States ,
Canada , Argentina , Brazil and China .



The GM crop issue needs to be seriously discussed, especially with a
looming food crisis. So does the burgeoning biofuel industry. Using corn and
soybeans as fuel for cars instead of food for humans warrants a
re-examination. Midwest corn is being used in ethanol plants sprouting up
across the country. An international food policy group in Washington says
corn prices would fall by 20 percent and wheat by 10 percent if a moratorium
was imposed on biofuel use worldwide this year.



With much of the world going hungry, getting the maximum nourishment
from the food we have is important. So is reaching our potential to produce
more of it.


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