The main problem with GMO grain is the almost inevitable GM crop contamination of the other crops. Sure, it's food alright; but sowing the GM grain practically dooms future exporting for most African countries, because of that contamination... Because there are only very few countries in the world where GM grain is actually consumed; and the US already has more than enough of it themselves, so there's practically no market for the African countries there. Not to mention the effect it would have on the environment and the possible dangers that come with GM contaminated food...
They would only isolate their market position even more, and by the time the famine is overcome, you'd end up with a country full of GM contaminated fields. And the main problem is that once they've chosen for GM grain, it's a choice for the rest of the country's future; there's practically no turning back then and there will be GM contaminated crops on their land forever.
See
here for a short scientific analysis on how likely GM crop contamination is.
At some level, I can understand the position of Zimbabwe when they refused the genetically modified grain for the aforementioned reasons. But on the other hand, they don't have much of a choice at this very point; it simply isn't that easy to come up with enough non-GM grain to use otherwise. And people are literally dying while the Government is stalling... It's the choice between what's the lesser evil, and I think that ruining the future economy and environment in order to save human lives today is a huge price, but we're still talking human
lives. If there are enough alternatives, I'm all for
every single solution to avoid having to use GM grain, however.
[ 02-06-2003, 05:34 AM: Message edited by: Grojlach ]