The argument is Stale!

If politics has a place in genetically modified (GM) food debate? "No," is the obvious answer. Politics and science are such sworn adversaries who can not eat the same dish. Policy mainly thrive on propaganda, libel, insults and personal gratification at the expense of the general good. Science is rooted in verifiable facts, is objective, kind, and aims to make the world a better place for us all to live. You can not politicize science unless you fancy mediocrity.

A Jeffrey Smith, author of "Seeds of Deception", this week advised South Africans to avoid genetically modified foods like the plague. Why? South Africans lose European beef and poultry markets, where they feed their livestock on genetically modified foods. To be sure, South Africans should use the conventional food. Pooh!

"There is a massive rejection of genetically modified ingredients in human food in Europe, and the growing demand that animals are fed crops," Smith told his audience. What advice misleading!

Deliberately misleading the public on any question is morally reprehensible and abominable. Those who exploit the vulnerability of the poor for self-risk benefit to the world isolation. Why misinform to confuse? The United States of America is a traditional manufacturer of GM foods. United States European beef markets have not been reduced due to cultivate GMOs.Latest statistics at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) show beef and veal exports ballooned from £ 461,000,000 in 2004 615,000,000,000 pounds in 2005. The bulk of the exports went to European markets. Smith lives in the United States and should have made it clear to his audience. Had he done so, I would not be here writing this article.

Europe, in turn, is embracing genetically modified foods. Last month, the EU approved the importation of genetically modified feed. Smith wants to tell South Africa that Europe is itself in the foot?

Already, farmers in five European Union countries, including France and Germany are growing genetically modified foods. They have lost their meat and poultry markets. In Spain, GM maize harvest this year will exceed 50,000 hectares, each of which will be used as feed for livestock. Spain, beef markets in Europe remain intact. They are in limbo. These are facts and no amount of propaganda and grandstanding will change. Let us be pragmatic when discussing the issue of genetically modified food.This is the only way to help consumers make informed decisons.

Debate on the pros and cons of GM food is a luxury for Africa. Someone must not believe that Africa would lose oversees markets for growing genetically modified foods. Africa can not supply at the moment. Women and children are dying in Niger, Ethiopia, Eritrea and hunger. The priority now should be to produce food for export, but to feed the hungry and malnourished. For fear that Africa will lose oversees markets is putting the cart before the horse.