Advantages and Problems of Genetically Modified Agricultural Crops

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Advantages and Problems of Genetically Modified Agricultural Crops

Genetically Modified food (GM) is most commonly used to refer to crop

plants created for human or animal consumption, using the latest

molecular biology techniques. These plants have been modified in the

laboratory to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to

herbicides or improved nutritional content. Genetic engineering can

create plants with the extract desired trait, both accurately and

rapidly. For example frost can destroy sensitive seedlings, an

antifreeze gene from cold water fish has been introduced to plants

such as tobacco and potatoes, and with this anti freeze gene these

plants are able to tolerate the cold temperatures that would normally

kill unmodified seedlings.

Crop losses from insect pests can be staggering resulting in

devastating financial loss for farmers and starvation in developing

countries. Farmers typically use chemical pesticides annually.

Consumers do not wish to eat food that has been treated with

pesticides because of potential health hazards. Growing GM food such

as Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t) corn could eliminate the application

of chemical pesticides. B.t is a naturally occurring bacterium that

produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larva; B.t crystal

protein genes have been inserted into corn, enabling the corn to

produce its own pesticides against insects.

There is also a risk that inserting a gene into a plant may create a

new allergen.

The world population is estimated at around 6 million it is predicted

that in the next 50 years that the population will double, ensuring

adequate food supp...

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...ence alone -- but will certainly not be solved without the

contribution of science, including GM. Food scientists and

technologists can support the responsible introduction of GM

techniques provided that issues of product safety, environmental

concerns, ethics and information are satisfactorily addressed. So that

the benefits that this technology can confer become available both to

improve the quality of the food supply and to help feed the world's

escalating population in the coming decades.

As technology becomes even more advanced then GM will gradually become

more accepted into society it will become a natural process in the

years to come.

Bibliography.

www.newscientist.com

www.foodfuture.org.uk

www.scope.educ.washington.edu/gmfood

Waugh. D. 1995 Geography An intergrated approach. 2nd Edition

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