Why GM crops aren’t feeding Africa
Despite decades of research, few countries grow them there
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”
From the November 23rd 2024 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionDiscover more
Israel and Hizbullah strike a fragile deal to end their war
Joe Biden’s last roll of the dice on peace in the Middle East
The arrest warrant is a diplomatic disaster for Netanyahu
But may also undermine the International Criminal Court
Israel’s hardliners reckon Gaza’s chaos shows they must control it
Only 11 out of a recent convoy of 109 aid trucks managed to get in
A genocidal militia’s quest for legitimacy
A warring party in Sudan claims it wants to talk peace
Get ready for “Maximum Pressure 2.0” on Iran
The Trump White House may bomb and penalise the regime into a deal
Iraq could be the Middle East’s next battleground
Until recently violence was at its lowest since the American invasion