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Jordan Luber Mali World Health Organization Arudnel High School Genetically Modified Crops: Considering (and minimizing) Risks While Evaluating Practicality and Use

According to the UN, about one billion people in the world are hungry. One billion people all across the world are hungry, with nothing to fill their stomachs sufficiently. Genetically modified crops seem to be perhaps the perfect solution for this crisis, as well as the less-urgent but regardless critically important quandary of feeding a hungry and growing population of upwards of nine billion while also maintaining relatively stable and low prices all along the food production line. However, this may be the imperfect solution that may only bring more problems. Mali personally knows the pain of being hungry and needing help, including when none is either available or offered. However, we sincerely understand the potential risks and dangers of genetically modified crops. The benefits would be great, and Mali would love to see the world benefit from responsible crop modification; however, the nation of Mali wishes to work with the actions to ensure that safety and responsibility, and the pursuit thereof, are put first. If this can be assured, or will be through hard work and relentless scientific pursuit and study, Mali would welcome the use of genetically modified crops. Until then, Mali welcomes a responsible resolution to ensure safe, productive pursuit of this potential salvation to the world hunger crisis and the looming food crisis.

Genetically modified crops are crops that have, through scientific manipulation, had their genetics changed to optimize certain qualities while minimizing or eliminating less-optimal ones. They are a curious subject, with many potential uses that could solve the immediate and looming food crisis of the world: they make food cheaper, as they can be grown and harvested faster due to the increase crop yield they bring; as stated, they increase crop yields meaning more food for the world; they are insect resistant, meaning less harmful (and expensive) pesticides and herbicides used, better for people and the environment; and be able to withstand harsher environments, thus introducing agriculture to regions previously unable to be cultivated, helping people who live there and opening more of the world as arable land. These are some of the main benefits that would come as a result of genetically modified crops, most likely. They already have proven rather true, and with a bit more research and effort they will be even more than simply true. However, there are also numerous potential downsides, and this is where Mali, along with other nations of the world, worries; insects could adapt, thus becoming once again dangerous to crops, even genetically modified ones; they could cause farmers en masse to turn to one or two main products, thus eliminating diversity in populations’ diets, and possibly making their crops more susceptible to devastating diseases; lots of money, people, resources and risks are involved in the agonizingly-long development process; they will affect all natural organisms in their environment, possibly in a negative way, upsetting the delicate but intricate balance of nature and even possibly harming humans biologically; and due to complexity of intellectual property with all the different organizations and corporations involved in development and distribution, prices could actually increase, not decrease, as most, if not all developers in the process want a profit. These are some of the most potentially harmful, effects of genetically modified crops; they are so great that they may even void the benefits. However, no one can be sure. And this is where the debate is, and the need for a World Health Organization resolution immediately.

Mali is personally connected to this issue deeply, with the current crisis of hunger in our own nation. However, as a responsible developing nation, we also understand the risks involved with genetically modified crops. Mali wishes to see the extensive use of genetically modified crops, to ease, and then solve the world hunger crisis, current and potential, as well as help in countless other ways, big and small: better nutrition and better diets, more success for farmers, cheaper prices, thereby aiding the world economy, and more. Also, Mali is a very agricultural state. We rely very much in agriculture, even as we make great strides toward development and industrialization. If there is a product that is likely to aid farming, this would be extremely beneficial to Mali, of all nations. Not only would it solve our immediate and pending food crisis, but would also boost our economy in inconceivable ways, allowing Mali to grow out of poverty and develop even faster, as well as increasing our rate of industrialization and modernization. However, all nations must be co-operative and responsible in this pursuit of genetically modified, better crops, and Mali understand that the risks and uncertainties must be addressed, and then the benefits can be reaped.

This is where a resolution concerning genetically modified crops must be consented upon. If an ambitious, comprehensive, cautious, and co-operative resolution can be passed that 1) guarantees the biological safety of the use of genetically modified crops, for both the environment, animals, and human consumers, 2) a guarantee that food prices will not rise, certainly not dramatically, and will decrease in the next coming decade for good as a result of the crops, 3) guarantees the crops will not fail, and will yield significantly higher harvests than natural crops, and 4) will be made readily, affordably, and easily accessible to the world, developed, and developing, in the next decade, Mali will wholeheartedly support the use of genetically modified crops. If these preconditions are thoroughly and aggressively addressed in a comprehensive and realistic manner, Mali will passionately support a resolution containing them, and thus ensuring that the whole world, developed and developing, will soon reap the incredible benefits, while feeling no negative fallout, from genetically modified crops.

Mali seeds incredible potential in genetically modified crops, both as a nation fighting mass hunger and impoverishment, a nation that is heavily reliant on agriculture, and also as a responsible participant in the 21st century world order. If the concerns can be responsible and safely addressed, without significantly curbing the benefits, Mali believes genetically modified crops is the answer to more problems than we knew we had. Mali looks forward to passing a resolution that will start the change of history.