Colin Berry: There is a strong case for GM crops

From a lecture by the emeritus professor of pathology at Queen Mary's Hospital, given at the Scientific Alliance conference in London

Mankind stands to reap great health benefits from genetically modified crops. There is the potential to incorporate vaccines into the crops genetically – and thereby into our diet. We also have the potential to use the crops as pharmaceutical factories to create new vaccines that will protect us from disease.

But what I want to talk to you about is not these hypothetical benefits, but the direct ways genetically modified crops can help people, and in ways that can be measured now.

There is clear evidence that when crops are genetically modified to be more resistant to pests, the health of farmers improves. Firstly, they are less exposed to manufactured pesticides, which can have adverse effects on their health. Secondly, they don't need to buy pesticides, so their profits improve. With lower costs, their livelihood – and overall standard of health – improves.

There are also great educational benefits to be had where genetically modified crops are used in subsistence or near-subsistence agricultural communities. The boll weevil, which laid waste to the cotton fields of the American South in the last century, is found today in China and India.

The children and women of these subsistence communities spend a great deal of time picking weevils and weeding the cotton. Where genetically engineered crops are used, engineered to be resistant to the boll weevil, a great deal of time can be saved.

The women of these communities are often keen for their children to be educated, and will choose to send their offspring to school rather than have them working in the fields. It is my personal view that this is an excellent development, and a strong argument for the increased use of genetically modified crops.