The British government had a similar Malthusian attitude during the Irish potato famine of the 1840s, Ridley notes, reasoning that famine, in the words of Assistant Secretary to the Treasury Charles Trevelyan, was an «effective mechanism for reducing surplus population.» (scientificamerican.com)
They had to rent small plots from Anglo - Protestant owners and grow potatoes to survive, which they did until the controversial Irish potato famine in the mid-19th century. (healthimpactnews.com)
If you fear another Irish potato famine impeding on your super-sized fries, fear no more: USDA has just approved a GMO p... (organicauthority.com)