We love our smartphones, but what about smart food?
TODAY,
Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, elaborated
on this question. He made the following [abridged] comments:
Our
society and economy run, function and communicate via technology.
Technology is changing the way we do just about everything, and by all accounts
we can’t get enough of it. Until we start talking about food technology, often
referred to as biotechnology, and then our mindsets revert to the Dark Ages.
For
years, farmers and ranchers have used technology to produce more food, feed,
fiber and fuel, while using less acreage, chemicals and water. Now, facing
quite possibly the biggest challenge of our generation—to produce 100 percent
more food by 2050—we need technology. In fact, in doubling the amount of food
grown in the next 37 years, 70 percent of that additional food will have to
come from efficiency-enhancing technologies that will compensate for one of the
few things technology can’t produce: farm and ranch land.
 |
| Bob Stallman, American Farm Bureau Federation President |
Through
advancements in science and technology, agriculture production has made
tremendous strides. Today, many crops in the U.S. are adopted from a
biotech variety. Yet, there has not been a single documented,
statistically significant incident of harm to human health or to the
environment.
Due
to the stellar performance of biotechnology products, the U.S. government, the
World Health Organization, the American Medical Association and the National
Academy of Sciences have all embraced the safety and benefits of these critical
advancements.
To
those who continue to be skeptical of biotechnology, please consider this:
every choice you and I make involves risk. Waking up, eating breakfast, taking
a shower, driving to work or even walking on the sidewalk has its
hazards. And what about your new smartphone? There are risks associated
with that, too. The reality is that we accept that technology can help
mitigate these risks to the benefit of all society.
Why
are we still in the Dark Ages in our approach to food technology, but we’re
giddy over the release of the iPhone 5s? With a partner in technology,
farmers and ranchers are prepared to meet the food, fuel and fiber demands of
the 21st century, but there, too, is a risk: the minority who
contradict their own acceptance of technology could ultimately eliminate food
options for those who would take a meal over the latest iPhone any
day.
Labels: Bob Stallman, President of American Farm Bureau Federation, We love out smart phones what about smart food?, yes on Techno gizmos; no one techno food--a commentary
