> do we really need the technology? Well, we don't need it in the sense that we could all pay more for food that is grown in less efficient ways, just as we do

> do we really need the technology? Well, we don't need it in the sense that we could all pay more for food that is grown in less efficient ways, just as we don't really need cars to get to work when we can all ride bikes. We don't really need cheap food because we can all afford the more expensive stuff that comes from less efficient farming methods. So you're right - it's not really needed. But it has great utility. Moving our focus away from rich westerners for a moment, there is a clearer case of 'need' when you consider areas prone to drought or poor people who can't afford the higher quantities of fertiliser, herbicide and pesticides that are needed to grow non-GMO crops. Or at least that would be true if GMO crops were more widespread and western activists had not done such a good job of telling the poor of Africa and India that they are toxic horrors to be avoided at all costs.