Middle East & Africa | The non-appliance of science

Why GM crops aren’t feeding Africa

Despite decades of research, few countries grow them there

A scientist at the National Agricultural Research Organisation with samples of Matoke seedlings
Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos Pictures

The species of bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis produces proteins that some caterpillars find toxic. Insert the underlying genes into a maize plant, and creepy-crawlies will be poisoned by their lunch. That is the idea behind Bt maize, a genetically modified (GM) variety that has been grown in dozens of countries worldwide.

This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “The non-appliance of science”

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