Ok...to clarify -
China's "one child" policy applies to the Han ethnic group ONLY. The Hans are the largest ethnic group in China...and they are the group "limited" in their child bearing. Rural and farming communities are generally allowed more than one child - with "fees" paid to the local officials (call them fines or bribes). Han Chinese of greater wealth can and do often have more than one child.
As in MOST of Asia - MALE children are preferred as they carry on the family surname. When a daughter is born...they "lose" a child due to cultural practices of the bride leaving her family to care for her in-laws. To have a daughter is seen as LOSING a child...you're raising a caretaker for someone else. The sons not only carry on the family name and traditions...but also are culturally obligated/expected to provide for the parents in their older age. No son - no one to care for you in your senior years.
In India - the practice of "bride price" also adds to the problem. The prospective grooms family can ask for ANYTHING from the brides' family...to secure the marriage. This is seen as wealth LEAVING the family...as well as the daughter leaving to care for her in laws. (This is why foreigners coming in and "buying" poor people's daughters is an easy mark for human traffickers...
China may have a preference for male children...however India is the country most well known for sex-selective abortion - in preference of male babies. It is ILLEGAL to perform fetus sexing in India based on the sex selective abortion practices. And yes...there are ENTIRE villages and areas that have NO GIRLS, women, etc. In some cases, men will "sell" wives several times over....brides having given birth to sons sell for more money than brides who have given birth to daughters. It's quite disturbing to western people/culture...but there is more than laws to understand....centuries and centuries of culture. (It's only recent in western societies that women have gained substantial rights...so let's not fool ourselves or get on our high horses here!)
GMOs are not allowed in the food supply in Europe. American companies are suing EU members to allow for the growth and import of GMOs. GMOs have been offered FREE to countries suffering from drought, famine, etc...however those gov'ts generally refuse...not wanting to be "owned" by these companies...at least THEY understand the price to be paid for these "miracle" crops. The introduction of farming corn in Africa has led to more desertification for growing crops. Corn is a "hungry and thirsty" crop...regardless of its modifications.
Another interesting point....Corn, Soy, and Dairy cause the highest number of food allergies in western societies. Hmmm...Corn and Soy are entirely GMO's...and hyper-pasturization of dairy could also be taken into consideration here.
Again...everything in moderation. Oh...and all these pesticides eventually end up in the water supply. Rivers, oceans, lakes. No wonder there's so much pressure on finding out if Mars has water and could support carbon-based life forms!!! lol
Humans....we are a VERY messy species!
