Biodiversity was, for a long time, presumed to be a given. It was considered a free commodity that everybody could use. But this has changed. Growing environmental destruction has reduced the biodiversity, biotechnology uses it as an industrial resource, and the poorest people are the ones who suffer the most.
The on-going erosion of genetic biodiversity has decreased the intra-specific genetic diversity of many crops. This has been caused by:
According to the FAO, more than 7,000 plant species have been used by humankind since agriculture commenced more than 10,000 years ago. More than 90 percent of the agricultural diversity that existed at the beginning of the 20th century has been lost. The biotech companies are using all kinds of ploys in an attempt to have people side with them. They promise that one of the new genetically modified rise varieties, called Golden Rice, will prevent blindness in millions of children in developing countries. Their claims are not only untrue but previous the only grains of Golden Rice in existence are in a laboratory.
The results of a study that has found low levels of genetically engineered seeds mixed in with traditional seed varieties of some major crops, raises the possibility of widespread contamination of food grown Western countries. These findings add more weight to the already strong argument to preserve traditional seeds, and to restrict genetically modified seed production.
With these results in mind, there is further evidence that the concerns are justified. Serious risks to human health could result if genes from pharmaceutical and industrial crops contaminate the seeds for food crops at a significant level. Europe and Japan have banned the import of genetically modified products. The evidence of contamination could close markets to US producers who cannot certify that their products are free of genetic engineering.
The loss of biodiversity, especially of traditional farmers varieties, will impact the food security of the world's poorest people. Saving seeds is a customary practice of indigenous and local communities which guarantees access to vital food stuffs at all times. If the control of these seeds shifts into the hands of multinationals, community food security would be undermined.
Food security can only be achieved if it is conceived within a framework that fosters food autonomy and keeps control of food production systems within local and indigenous communities.