Can genetically modified (GM) crops act as possible alternatives to mitigate world political conflicts for food?

• Main Authors: Dezső Szenkovics, Márton Tonk, Adalbert Balog
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2021-02-01
• Series: Food and Energy Security
• Subjects: agricultural policy; climate change; food aid; novel biotechnological products; state of peace; undernutrition
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.268

Abstract The human population expected to reach 10 billion by 2,100, the probability of conflict aggravated by scarceness over the XXI century is growing. Conflict is likely to be driven by a number of factors: changing climate, urbanization, migration, and food insecurity. According to the FAO 2018 report, global malnutrition rose from 777 million in 2015 to 815 million people in 2016. Data also highlight that the majority of these people live in countries affected by political conflicts (489 million out of 815 million). While significant food support comes from the USA and the EU, this feeds about 100 million peoples annually across 73 countries, their role is of cure and not prevention. Reducing food conflict in politically fragile countries on a sustained basis requires new investment and partnerships to develop biotechnological solutions including genetically modified crops. According to our analyses, GM Bt crops with the scope of food, feed, and processing can improve food security, and in broader way alter political conflicts in developing countries. The food supply chain, and policy decisions about safe GM crops should be the areas worth reconsidering, clear, and constructive reference to safe GM crops as an important option for a higher level of self‐sufficiency has to be made.