These comments are in no way meant to detract from the excellent efforts and success of the World Food Prize program to emphasize the work of world leaders to combat world hunger.
I appreciate the effort of The Des Moines Register to present both sides on the issue of genetically modified seeds by including philanthropist Howard Buffett’s warning that we need to be cautious seeing U.S. style farming and genetically modified seeds as being the sole solution to food problems in Africa.
It is also wise to note that among the many sponsors of the World Food Prize activity are large corporations that are in the business of producing these seeds. The main purpose and goal of these corporations, like any company, is to make a profit, not to focus on humanitarian needs. These two factors may be at odds with each other.
There is still great controversy about the effect of these seeds and certain practices, and it is important to keep this in prospective while still giving credit to the efforts of the prize winners.
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