Government support of Spain to GM unleashes controversy

The genetic modification of foods that are the staple diet of mankind and is a fact, though not lacking controversy in that regard. While some believe that GM foods have many benefits, environmental organizations, consumer groups and advocates of the organic farmers questioned its effectiveness and consider it a dangerous practice with a high risk to health, the environment and the economy.

Now, the environmental organization Friends of the Earth has claimed that the Spanish government spends 60 times more money to fund research on GM agriculture, which it devotes to research in organic farming. The latter generates 25 times more jobs and takes 16 times more area in Spain, according to this organization. Given the current moment of economic crisis and high unemployment rates, environmentalists believe that the Government's support to GM is not justified.
A reasoned investment?

Genetically engineered foods are causing alarm among a large segment of the population. The contamination of organic crops and the environment, deterioration of biodiversity and local agriculture, and the possible effects on public health are some of them.
However, since Antama Foundation, which represents some of the leading producers of GM crops, say that "the seeds of transgenic corn (which eliminates the so-called boring insect) 95% reduced pesticide use, making it possible reduce costs and increase productivity of land. In addition, the reduced use of toxic chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides is good for the environment, "says Juan Quintana, spokesman for the organization.

However, this argument is opposed by environmental organizations to ensure that GM crops (eg soybean resistant to glyphosate herbicide), being genetically resistant to pesticides and pests, are sprayed with amounts up to three times higher than crops conventional.
From Friends of the Earth, a determined advocate for organic farming models. "With such high unemployment rate and a state of complete abandonment of rural areas, the Government has to opt for agriculture models that generate employment and social fabric in the field," said David Sanchez, in charge of Agriculture and Food of the association.

    The industry lobbies have this agricultural model as a sure and profitable.

Still, the Government is still committed to promoting through public support of research to agricultural biotechnology. "What we can not afford to bet it all for an agricultural model also presents many problems, and do not lean all the ecological model. We need to be encouraged, not only with aid, but also from the investigation," David Sanchez said.

For its part, the outlook for the majors is quite the opposite, presenting this model of agriculture as a sure and profitable even able to solve world hunger.
"The spearhead of transgenic agriculture is the need of a ultra-advanced investigation. While the ecological base is to maintain a status quo that does not need to introduce advanced technologies. Thus, research comparing the two is like comparing a spacecraft and a bicycle, "says Juan Quintana, director of the foundation Antama. 'Must be investigated, but not equal.
Addressing the regulation of transgenic

Spain is the only country that permits the cultivation of GM maize on a large scale in the European Union, while countries like France, Germany, Greece, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Italy prohibit betting on growing and farming models. What lies behind this confused regulation?