(1)There is no unequivocal evidence that genetically modified crops harm our health or the environment - yet there is an intense debate about their value and safety. (2) Such concerns about the risks of GM technology must be balanced against its enormous benefits - far from causing any new food safety problems, biotechnology has already demonstrated its potential in enhancing the nutritional quality of our food and in reducing harmful toxic compounds that exist in our food. (3) Understanding agricultural history is a good starting point in alleviating people's unease about GM foods - humans have been modifying crops for thousands of years, and without human care many of today's crops would cease to exist. (4) We should recognise the positive impact that GM technology can have on the environment - and that if problems arise, we can deal with them.

Antiglobalization protests have become a big business that involves millions of dollars, trans-national organizations and a global agenda. Don't be too surprised. Even Greenpeace -- a global enterprise with offices in London, Buenos Aires, Washington and Tokyo -- has a chief financial officer these days. Indeed, the antiglobalization movement seems like corporate dystopia, a mirror image of the business world complete with trade associations, venture capitalists, management recruiting and marketing campaigns. Instead of selling T-shirts or toothpaste, the agitators are selling limits on cross-border trade.

"Precision farming has brought the information age to the backseat of a tractor. It is lowering the cost of food production and providing a breath of fresh air to the environment. That not only means more green in farmers' wallets, but more green in their fields, too."

The overwhelming evidence from around the globe supports the thesis that the protection of private property is central to improving economic performance. This protection must extend to intellectual property and patents on drugs. Attenuation of patents therefore goes further than simply making developing country disease an unattractive avenue for pharmaceutical research and development; it undermines economic growth and human health.