The topics of my thread concerned malnutrition ,the Philippines and the news that genetically modified ( GM ) rice might help alleviate vitamin A deficiency.

• Poor nutrition, measles and premature birth are the leading causes of preventable blindness in the Philippines. Cataract is the most important. Vitamin A deficiency is significant, while rare in the western world. Many malnourished children worldwide become blind each year due to vitamin A deficiency that could have been prevented with a proper diet. Of course GM rice is not the only answer. Vitamin supplements are relatively cheap and have had some success in Nepal and some African countries.


• Antibiotic resistance is a worry to health professionals not only in the Philippines but also in UK and worldwide. The causes are irresponsible sale / prescribing, and inappropriate demand by patients for conditions which can’t be treated by such drugs ( which themselves may be wrong or fake ). “ Bugs “ can respond by mutation and natural selection FAR faster than “ untrustworthy scientists “ can develop new antibiotics, or seek to genetically modify crops. It’s part of a global concern about improving health, rather than a problem specific to malnutrition.



• “ Colony collapse disorder “ ( decline since 2006 of bee colonies ) is bad for honey lovers, and also for farmers who rely on bees to pollinate many of their crops. Pesticides may be to blame – research continues and obviously it’s another factor which may contribute to future malnutrition.


• Those members who have carefully read – and hopefully understood – the “ bullet points “ in my first post here know that malnutrition is neither specific to the Philippines, nor is there one solution. Mistrust of scientists and health professionals doesn’t help. Most are motivated to seek an evidence base for what they say, and even if not all are entirely altruistic ( who is ? ), at least try to improve the health of the population they serve.


• GM is only ONE of a broad category of interventions – technologies for global health - that seek to reduce malnutrition, improve sanitation, and increase safety on roads. This is in parallel with health technologies designed to prevent, diagnose, or treat illness – from highly specific ( vaccines, properly used antibiotics / anti-cancer drugs ) to more widely applicable ( blood pressure monitors ). Most health problems are best addressed by a combination of technologies and clinical skills. They MUST be evidence-based to meet the needs of the world’s poorest people. So-called “ frugal technology “ is a priority especially where resources are limited.




• By 2050 there could be 9 billion people on this planet. They need to be fed on about the same land area as we use today, using carefully controlled fertilisers, water and pesticides - in the context of increasing life expectancies and changing climate.


• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are major causes of death worldwide and now underlie about two-thirds of all global deaths. ALL countries face epidemics of these diseases - but low-income and middle-income countries - and the poorest / most vulnerable populations within them - are affected the most. There is a global imperative to create and implement effective prevention strategies, so that the future costs of diagnosis and treatment don't become unaffordable.



• The priority NCDs are diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The risk factors ( mainly adult ) are poor diet ( too much, too little, wrong balance ), physical inactivity, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption. Prenatal nutrition, maternal diseases, and air pollution are others. Don’t knock the scientists ( or the only doctor spending time contributing to this forum ) without evidence to back it up !