Bill Gates is not backing down in his support of genetic engineering to improve food crops.
The billionaire philanthropist, co-founder of Microsoft, expressed his support for GMOs in an interview with the Wall Street Journal following the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“What are called GMOs are done by changing the genes of the plant—and it’s done in a way where there’s a very thorough safety procedure,” says Gates. “It’s pretty incredible because it reduces the amount of pesticide you need, raises productivity and can help with malnutrition by getting vitamin fortification.”
Gates is especially enthused about the potential for GMO crops in Africa. He says GMOs are the key to ending starvation in African countries.
“For Africa, this is going to make a huge difference, particularly as they face climate change,” he says. “The increased productivity and resilience of the seeds—as long as the right safety things are done—that’s really beneficial. It’s kind of a second round of the Green Revolution.”
Gates, his wife Melinda, and their foundation have been criticized by anti-GMO activists for promoting the adoption of GMO crops in Africa.
Source: www.brownfieldagnews.com