The Bush administration has added a controversial ingredient to the $770-million aid package it recently proposed to ease the world food crisis: language that would promote the use of genetically modified crops in food-deprived countries.
The value or detriment of genetically modified, or bioengineered, food is an intensely disputed issue in the U.S. and in Europe, where many countries have banned foods made from genetically modified organisms.
Proponents say that genetically modified crops can result in higher yields from plants that are hardier in harsh climates.
"We certainly think that it is established fact that a number of bioengineered crops have shown themselves to increase yields through their drought resistance and pest resistance," said Dan Price, a food aid expert on the National Security Council.
Opponents of such crops allege that they can cause allergies, illnesses and unforeseen medical problems in those who consume them.
They also contend that the administration's plan is aimed at helping American agribusinesses such as Monsanto, which manufactures genetically modified varieties of seed.
"This is a hot topic now with the food crisis," said Ronnie Cummins, national director of the Organic Consumers Assn. "I think it's pretty obvious at this point that genetically engineered crops -- they may do a number of things, but they don't increase yields. There are no commercialized crops that are designed to deal with the climate crisis."
Bush proposed the food package two weeks ago as aid groups and the U.N. World Food Program pressed Western governments to provide additional funds to bridge the gap caused by rising food prices.
The aid must win congressional approval.
It would direct the U.S. Agency for International Development to spend $150 million of the total aid package on development farming, which would include the use of genetically modified crops.
The U.S. is already the U.N. food program's largest donor, providing nearly half of the help the group receives from governments. The U.S. gave about $1.1 billion to the program in both 2006 and 2007. Overall, the World Food Program provided $2.6 billion in aid in 2006. The U.N. estimates that 852 million people are facing a daily food emergency.
Some aid organizations say it is time to consider genetically modified crops in tough growing conditions.
