Considerations for the Genetic Modificaiton of Wheat

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Genetically Modified Food

Genetically Modified Wheat

Wheat is hugely important in the world's food supply. About 600 million tonnes of wheat is produced each year. That adds up to 90 kg for every person on earth. Septoria, Fusarium and common bunt are fungal diseases that often cause problems for wheat growers. These fungal diseases can spread rapidly when conditions are mild and moist. These are just some of the things that effect wheat. The Growing of wheat also has a large impact on the environment and the cycles of matter because of the large usage of fertilizers and pesticides. Faster growth, more nutritious wheat, and better tasting food are just some of the characteristic that can be improved in genetically modified food.

Genetic engineering opens the door to new methods for managing Fusarium and other fungal diseases. Scientists have developed genetic approaches to conferring resistance to fungal diseases and are testing their effectiveness on wheat. Field trials have proved very successful in many countries, including countries in Europe, GM wheat plants are resistant to fungal infection and thereby produce grains won’t be laden with dangerous toxins.

Crops can be modified to be resistant to specific herbicides; this makes it much easier to control troublesome weeds. Farmers can simply apply the weed killer to a crop field, killing the unwanted plants and leaving the food crop unaffected. For example, GM oilseed rape the source of canola oil is resistant to one of the chemical that are widely used to control weeds. The same process can now be done with genetically modified wheat crops hence this will save time and money that has previously be needed to be spent.

One of the harder things to get right in ...

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... and efficiently through the diet. Over-Use of Herbicides

The planting of herbicide-resistant crops might encourage farmers to use weed killers more freely, since they could then be applied indiscriminately to crop fields. As a result, the excess could be carried away by rainfall to pollute rivers and other waterways. The chemicals may poison fish and other wild animals and plants, and could get into human drinking water as well.

Resistance to Herbicides

Crops can be modified to be resistant to specific herbicides, making it much easier to control troublesome weeds. Farmers can simply apply the weed killer to a crop field, killing the unwanted plants and leaving the food crop unaffected.

Better Tasting Foods

Foods can be engineered to taste better, which could encourage people to eat more healthy foods that are currently not popular because of their taste.

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