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Starved for Science: How Biotechnology Is Being Kept Out of Africa
Listen to a short interview with Robert Paarlberg
Chris Gondek | Heron & Crane Heading upcountry in Africa to visit small farms is absolutely exhilarating given the dramatic beauty of big skies, red soil, and arid vistas, but eventually the two-lane tarmac narrows to rutted dirt, and the journey must continue on foot. The farmers you eventually meet are mostly women, hardworking but visibly poor. They have no improved seeds, no chemical fertilizers, no irrigation, and with their meager crops they earn less than a dollar a day. Many are malnourished. Nearly two-thirds of Africans are employed in agriculture, yet on a per-capita basis they produce roughly 20 percent less than they did in 1970. Although modern agricultural science was the key to reducing rural poverty in Asia, modern farm science—including biotechnology—has recently been kept out of Africa. In Starved for Science Robert Paarlberg explains why poor African farmers are denied access to productive technologies, particularly genetically engineered seeds with improved resistance to insects and drought. He traces this obstacle to the current opposition to farm science in prosperous countries. Having embraced agricultural science to become well-fed themselves, those in wealthy countries are now instructing Africans—on the most dubious grounds—not to do the same. In a book sure to generate intense debate, Paarlberg details how this cultural turn against agricultural science among affluent societies is now being exported, inappropriately, to Africa. Those who are opposed to the use of agricultural technologies are telling African farmers that, in effect, it would be just as well for them to remain poor.
Chris Gondek | Heron & Crane Heading upcountry in Africa to visit small farms is absolutely exhilarating given the dramatic beauty of big skies, red soil, and arid vistas, but eventually the two-lane tarmac narrows to rutted dirt, and the journey must continue on foot. The farmers you eventually meet are mostly women, hardworking but visibly poor. They have no improved seeds, no chemical fertilizers, no irrigation, and with their meager crops they earn less than a dollar a day. Many are malnourished. Nearly two-thirds of Africans are employed in agriculture, yet on a per-capita basis they produce roughly 20 percent less than they did in 1970. Although modern agricultural science was the key to reducing rural poverty in Asia, modern farm science—including biotechnology—has recently been kept out of Africa. In Starved for Science Robert Paarlberg explains why poor African farmers are denied access to productive technologies, particularly genetically engineered seeds with improved resistance to insects and drought. He traces this obstacle to the current opposition to farm science in prosperous countries. Having embraced agricultural science to become well-fed themselves, those in wealthy countries are now instructing Africans—on the most dubious grounds—not to do the same. In a book sure to generate intense debate, Paarlberg details how this cultural turn against agricultural science among affluent societies is now being exported, inappropriately, to Africa. Those who are opposed to the use of agricultural technologies are telling African farmers that, in effect, it would be just as well for them to remain poor.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 6, 2011
Some very interesting information in this book, especially in the first two chapters, where Paarlberg presented an explanation for why wealthy countries are suspicious or outright regecting genetically modified crops. He claims that the rejection has nothing to do with genetic engineering, because we will accept the products of genetic engineering in medicine, sometimes with a substantially higher risk. It has to do with the fact that the US and Europe enjoy so much food security that we don't need GMOs, and that the benefits of them are enjoyed primarily by the seed companies and farmers in the form of higher profits, with little benefit to the consumer. That's not the case with medicine, where there is often no alternative. He also showed that because we already can produce more than we consume, improving yield is no longer a high priority. Instead we focus on quality, safety, and the environmental impact of agriculture. Of course these priorities are not appropriate where there isn't enough food, and so pushing these values on Africa has been destructive.
I have to say that this book has increased my frustration with the organic movement. I agree with the basic goals of organic farming: making food safer with fewer pesticides, lowering environmental impact, and protecting soil quality on farmland. But instead of focusing on those goals, organic is mainly anti-technology. You're not protecting the environment if it takes three times the land to grow a crop and you dump more carbon because you have to till deeper to avoid using herbicides. And food isn't safer if it has a fungal infection from insect bites, or was cross bred with its wild ancestor that's poisonous (like potatoes). I would like to see us keep the basic goals of organic and ditch the hippie idealism.
I have to say that this book has increased my frustration with the organic movement. I agree with the basic goals of organic farming: making food safer with fewer pesticides, lowering environmental impact, and protecting soil quality on farmland. But instead of focusing on those goals, organic is mainly anti-technology. You're not protecting the environment if it takes three times the land to grow a crop and you dump more carbon because you have to till deeper to avoid using herbicides. And food isn't safer if it has a fungal infection from insect bites, or was cross bred with its wild ancestor that's poisonous (like potatoes). I would like to see us keep the basic goals of organic and ditch the hippie idealism.
February 10, 2014
I would have rated this book a perfect score, but I subtracted a star because I do not believe that the author's main argument (that elitist's in the West who have no economic need for biotech are keeping the technology away from countries that do need it) is the ONLY factor involved when it comes to all the hostility towards bioscience in agriculture. I think ignorance, a failure to educate the public in the early years, and outright misinformation campaigns by the multi-BILLION dollar Organic Industry also play important parts.
Regardless, Starved for Science makes an excellent case for it's premise, and it's blatantly obvious, after reading the facts, that a faction of the West with all the food it will ever need has been making life miserable for any poor nations that it can gain influence in, especially Africa (fortunately, that is beginning to change now, no thanks to Environmental extremist's who want local farmers to farm "as they always have" including poor crops, parasites from 'night soil'-that's human feces to us layman-and farmers in India who resort to it's use have up to 90% infection rates), and physical injury at a young age.
Meanwhile, bioscience can contribute and has contributed towards lifting entire continents out of Poverty (as it has in China and India). It's sad that so many environmentalists have rejected bioscience, when it was bioscience that played a dominant role in the original Green Revolution.
For those willing to read both sides, and for those unsure, or for those who know but need facts at their fingertips, this is one great book to have.
Regardless, Starved for Science makes an excellent case for it's premise, and it's blatantly obvious, after reading the facts, that a faction of the West with all the food it will ever need has been making life miserable for any poor nations that it can gain influence in, especially Africa (fortunately, that is beginning to change now, no thanks to Environmental extremist's who want local farmers to farm "as they always have" including poor crops, parasites from 'night soil'-that's human feces to us layman-and farmers in India who resort to it's use have up to 90% infection rates), and physical injury at a young age.
Meanwhile, bioscience can contribute and has contributed towards lifting entire continents out of Poverty (as it has in China and India). It's sad that so many environmentalists have rejected bioscience, when it was bioscience that played a dominant role in the original Green Revolution.
For those willing to read both sides, and for those unsure, or for those who know but need facts at their fingertips, this is one great book to have.
April 11, 2014
About the Author: Robert Paarlberg is Professor of Political Science at Wellesley College. Paarlberg is also a member of Monsanto’s Biotechnology Advisory Council.
Overview: The author argues that the scientifically ignorant political Left of Europe has harmed the African people by promoting an irrational fear of the use of genetically modified plants in agriculture.
Genetically Modified Crops: Genetically modified crops are plants that have genes from different species spliced into their chromosomes by enzymes that cut and splice DNA. Genetically modified crops have been widely adopted in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. Examples of GM crops:
• soybeans (drought tolerant)
• maize (drought tolerant)
• canola (drought tolerant)
• cotton (resistant to digestion by caterpillars)
• golden rice (high in beta carotene)
• tomato (drought tolerant)
• potato (beetle resistant and virus resistant)
• sweet potato (disease resistant)
African Crops: Traditional African crops grown for local consumption include millet, cassava, yams, sorghum, and cowpeas. Crops grown for export include coffee, tea, cocoa, cotton, maize, and peanuts.
Support for Agricultural Science: In recent years, spending on agricultural science in Africa has declined. This includes both foreign aid and internal investment. While the West continues to donate large amounts of food aid to Africa, it is decreasing its support of agricultural science in Africa.
Organic Farming: Organic farming requires more land than farming using chemical fertilizers. Europe is moving away from science-based farming and towards the more primitive organic farming. Organic farming is expensive and only the elites in the West can afford it.
Labeling GM Foods: Europe requires that GM foods be so labeled. Labeling GM foods is expensive, because it requires segregation and tracking throughout the food supply chain.
Europe Leads Africa Backwards: Africa trades much more with Europe than it does with the United States. Almost all organic crops grown in Africa are exported to Europe. Most of Africa has followed Europe’s lead in rejecting GM crops. In fact, the Republic of South Africa is the only country in Africa growing GM crops. The use of chemical fertilizers and genetically modified plants allows the farmer to produce more food on less land. This is important, because land clearing for agriculture is a major cause of deforestation.
Overview: The author argues that the scientifically ignorant political Left of Europe has harmed the African people by promoting an irrational fear of the use of genetically modified plants in agriculture.
Genetically Modified Crops: Genetically modified crops are plants that have genes from different species spliced into their chromosomes by enzymes that cut and splice DNA. Genetically modified crops have been widely adopted in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. Examples of GM crops:
• soybeans (drought tolerant)
• maize (drought tolerant)
• canola (drought tolerant)
• cotton (resistant to digestion by caterpillars)
• golden rice (high in beta carotene)
• tomato (drought tolerant)
• potato (beetle resistant and virus resistant)
• sweet potato (disease resistant)
African Crops: Traditional African crops grown for local consumption include millet, cassava, yams, sorghum, and cowpeas. Crops grown for export include coffee, tea, cocoa, cotton, maize, and peanuts.
Support for Agricultural Science: In recent years, spending on agricultural science in Africa has declined. This includes both foreign aid and internal investment. While the West continues to donate large amounts of food aid to Africa, it is decreasing its support of agricultural science in Africa.
Organic Farming: Organic farming requires more land than farming using chemical fertilizers. Europe is moving away from science-based farming and towards the more primitive organic farming. Organic farming is expensive and only the elites in the West can afford it.
Labeling GM Foods: Europe requires that GM foods be so labeled. Labeling GM foods is expensive, because it requires segregation and tracking throughout the food supply chain.
Europe Leads Africa Backwards: Africa trades much more with Europe than it does with the United States. Almost all organic crops grown in Africa are exported to Europe. Most of Africa has followed Europe’s lead in rejecting GM crops. In fact, the Republic of South Africa is the only country in Africa growing GM crops. The use of chemical fertilizers and genetically modified plants allows the farmer to produce more food on less land. This is important, because land clearing for agriculture is a major cause of deforestation.
August 19, 2009
super interesting and well researched. Definitely convinced me that GMO's could be useful in Africa. Sad to see that the reason they have not been used is all politics and with hardly any regard to the starving people who could benefit.
Large argument though based on the fact that GMO's have not yet exhibited any risk to the consumer and he backs up this argument with plenty of studies however there are equal amounts of studies that claim GMO's are harmful and carry carcinogens. Would have to read up on the topic more to fully understand this claim.
All in all a bit repetitive but convincing.
Large argument though based on the fact that GMO's have not yet exhibited any risk to the consumer and he backs up this argument with plenty of studies however there are equal amounts of studies that claim GMO's are harmful and carry carcinogens. Would have to read up on the topic more to fully understand this claim.
All in all a bit repetitive but convincing.
September 11, 2016
This book completes "Let them eat precaution" (Jon Entine editor) if you are trying to understand how Europe, NGOs and exquisite trade markets are pushing Africa into a new colonial state, where they are told to reject biotechnology for agriculture (not for health or industry) and keep their 40% of producers POOR. The once bright and enlightened European society, has rejected science a while ago and now imposes their consumer style and extreme rigid legislation about genetic modified crops. What's more ludicrous is that they never ever objected mutant crops, heavy metal pigments used in tattoos or other real threats to health (tobacco is still on high demand, same as carcinogenic contraceptives).
July 23, 2014
The information in this book was of great interest to me so I plowed through it. However, I thought the book was dry and repetitive. I also would have liked more information about the state of agriculture and development in Africa.
The story it tells is heartbreaking. The adoption by poor countries in Africa of the precautionary stance of rich European countries, unsupported by the science is more that frustrating, it's tragic. A lot of the blame is properly laid at the feet of aid and environmental NGOs that are fighting this crucial technology even after there is any reasonable doubt as to it's safety or utility.
The story it tells is heartbreaking. The adoption by poor countries in Africa of the precautionary stance of rich European countries, unsupported by the science is more that frustrating, it's tragic. A lot of the blame is properly laid at the feet of aid and environmental NGOs that are fighting this crucial technology even after there is any reasonable doubt as to it's safety or utility.
May 22, 2010
Nhớ Norman Bourlaug
"Đời người tối thiểu phải ăn, kế đến là học tập, công việc, nhà ở, quần áo và chăm sóc sức khỏe. Quanh ta còn nhiều mảnh đời bất hạnh. Hiểm họa nghèo đói vẫn bùng phát bất cứ lúc nào. Hãy luôn nhớ điều đó." Lời của Thầy Norman Bourlaug và di sản của Người về cuộc cách mạng xanh mãi mãi là niềm tin và nổ lực của chúng ta !
Lời Thầy dặn
Việc chính đời người chỉ ít thôi
Chuyên tâm đừng bận chuyện trời ơi
Phúc hậu suốt đời làm việc thiện
Di sản muôn năm tiếng để đời.
Hoàng Kim
http://foodcrops.blogspot.com/2009/09...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2012
Premise is solid - that food/agricultural science is being blocked in Africa for cultural reasons, and that much of the 'green' farming ideology fails to recognize that 'green' farming requires more arable land and more water, precious commodities, especially as the planet's population continues to grow. My major knock is that it reads more like a dissertation than a book; the idea I've outlined above tends to be repeated, rather than re-illustrated.
August 30, 2015
This is a very good book. It is a bit dry --academic, I suppose-- but well worth the read.
I've long not understood the stance of most people on GMO's. This book doesn't exactly get into that hairball but instead exams --in detail-- the effect of European (and increasingly, American) opposition to GMO's in the developing countries of Africa, and the how's and why's of those effects.
*Well* worth plowing through (seriously, no pun intended.)
I've long not understood the stance of most people on GMO's. This book doesn't exactly get into that hairball but instead exams --in detail-- the effect of European (and increasingly, American) opposition to GMO's in the developing countries of Africa, and the how's and why's of those effects.
*Well* worth plowing through (seriously, no pun intended.)
May 2, 2014
What's most interesting about this book is that it offers a fair, considered take on the history of the green movement as a means of illustrating one factor in the hostility towards GMOs. I'd challenge anyone with an interest in 'sustainable' agriculture to read this book and walk away without some niggly doubts about what they think they know.
July 12, 2012
Wonderfully down to earth book on the need of more science based agriculture in Africa to alleviate the poverty of most poor. Short of ideology other than the desire to help the poor. On occasion the writing is slightly repetive, but not so much as to distract from the main point.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews