GMOs are the Future to Combat Ills in Africa, Says Gates

02 Feb 2016 --- Bill Gates, who is a major backer of food biotechnology, has spoken passionately how food biotechnology can help the people of Africa fight the numerous challenges they face.

Speaking with his wife Melinda Gates to the Wall Street Journal, the pair discussed the virtues of biotech foods and how they help make crops better resistant to drought, flooding and pests, as well as increasing yields and helping their own farming businesses flourish.

Bill Gates said: “What are called GMOs [Genetically modified organisms] are done by changing the genes of the plant. And it’s done in a way where there’s a very thorough safety procedure."

“And it’s pretty incredible because it reduces the amount of pesticide you need, raises productivity and can help with malnutrition by getting vitamin fortification."

“I think for Africa this is going to make a huge difference particularly as they face climate change.”

Gates said gene editing was a “more precise way” of tackling the food problem in Africa than previous efforts.

Biotechnology can help with a plant’s defences to offset a raft of challenges such as pests and diseases.

Bill and Melinda Gates were speaking to the Wall Street Journal at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.