The fight to feed the world

SciDev.Net summary (linking to the full article) of a Science editorial looking at how scientists are gearing up to challenges of securing food production in developing countries in the coming years.

The article reveals both good news and bad. On the positive side, the World Bank and other big donor agencies have been galvanised into action. Less happily, the ongoing furore over GM crops and an intellectual property regime bristling with patents are impeding much progress in combating world hunger.

A balancing of costs and benefits is called for and the author argues that GM technology is perhaps the best choice for farmers forced onto marginal lands. [adapted from SciDev.Net summary]