GENETICALLY MODIFIED AND ORGANIC CROPS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

There has been growing awareness about genetic engineering applications since the first GM crops were launched two decades ago. Currently a wide range of new political, ethical and economic issues are posed in agricultural fields by the production of GM crop varieties. The socio-economic and environmental impacts of genetically modified crops are becoming more widely available, aimed at criticizing their value in agricultural systems. While organic crops are being promoted in the developing countries as environmentally friendly products, there has been considerable controversy with food safety and poor agricultural productivity in developing countries.The debate became especially intense when the alternative method of organic farming was presented. Yes, in developing countries there are some trade-offs. Farms are encouraged, for their higher productivity, to accept and implement GM cropping, while, for socioeconomic and environmental reasons, organic farming is encouraged. Therefore, a crucial question for these countries is whether genetically modified crops will co-exist with organic farming. This paper examines the main considerations and compromises.