Summary: Genetic Engineering in Agriculture (By Migeul A. Altieri)

In this book, the author discusses the “myths, environmental risk, and alternatives” to the “genetic engineering in agriculture” (Altieri 2004). Altieri’s main idea is that as an alternative to the chemical approach to the food shortage issue, the genetic engineering approach is currently highly advocated by the US government, but Altieri believes this approach is not the best solution to the problem, since there are many potential issues behind it. First, it does not really help to beat world hunger or bring welfare to the poor farmers in the developing countries. The main reason is that genetic engineering, while aiming at lowering the producing cost, does not directly point to the “real causes of hunger and poverty, inequality, and lack of access of food and land” (Altieri 2004). Second, genetically modified crops may not be good for human health, since the new technology may result in seriously undesired consequences that are highly unpredictable. An example of such consequence is the “small but real chance that genetic engineering may transfer new and unidentified proteins into food, triggering allergic reactions in millions of consumers who are sensitive to allergens and have no way of identifying or protecting themselves from offending foods” (Altieri 2004). Third, the author points out genetic engineering’s potential threats to the environment. One is that the herbicide-tolerant (HT) crops may bring about weed resistance and create “superweeds” (Altieri 2004). Another is that the Insect-resistant crops (Bt Crops) may bring about pest resistance and may also break the ecological balance. Finally, the author points out that a more sustainable alternative to biotechnology is the “agroecological model”. It emphasizes biodiversity, recycling of nutrients, synergy among crops, animal, soils and other biological components, as well s regeneration and conservation of resources” (Altieri 2004), and thus it is more sustainable and beneficial than the genetic engineering model.

Questions to consider:
1. Is the term “agroecological model” a good way to describe the type of farms like the Polyface Farm described by Michael Pollan?
2. The author offers the “agroecological model” as the solution to the public health and environmental issues raised by the “genetic engineering model”. However, as the author mentions, another important issue of the “genetic engineering model” is that it does not really help to beat world hunger or bring welfare to the poor farmers in the developing countries. Do you think the “agroecological model”, which inevitably raises the food price, would solve that problem as well? (If not, what do you think would be the solution to that problem?)