Many governments and biotech corporations are promoting GM crops as a response to world hunger. However, ActionAid believes this approach seeks only to increase profits for biotech companies and ignores the real causes of hunger.

Can gm crops help alleviate hunger?
Many advocates argue GM crops should be extended, for they offer a vital tool to help feed the world.

ActionAid's research shows that GM crops are largely irrelevant for the poorest farming communities – only 1% of GM research is aimed at crops used by poor people - and they may pose a threat to their livelihoods.

The fact is there's enough food to meet current global needs - now and decades into the future.

Food security
The real causes of hunger are political and economic: poverty, inequality, and poor access to land, food, markets and resources - GM crops do nothing to address these issues.

Our main concern is that four multinationals dominate GM technology – giving them unprecedented control over their GM seeds and the chemicals that go with them.

Many farmers in poor countries are unaware that they can't save GM seed from one harvest to the next. This could jeopardise the rights of 1.4billion people who depend on farm saved seed worldwide – and could lead many into a spiral of debt.

ActionAid is not against science and progress. But lasting food security can only be achieved by:

• addressing poverty
• matching technology to local needs
• promoting basic rights
• protecting biodiversity
• supporting informed choice and participation.

We believe poor communities in poor countries have a right to open public debates before they choose to go ahead with GM crops or not.