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    GM Crops 14-11-07

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    Genetically modified (GM) crops are created by transferring DNA from one species to another, giving the new plant characteristics from the donor species. For example, wheat could be made herbicide-resistant by adding genes from a resistant weed. Supporters argue GM crops could help solve food shortages and reduce chemical use in farming. Critics worry about uncontrolled pollination spreading GM traits and unknown long-term human health effects. While GM production continues growing in countries like the US and China, opposition remains strong in the UK from those calling for a complete ban.

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    GM Crops 14-11-07

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    Genetically modified (GM) crops are created by transferring DNA from one species to another, giving the new plant characteristics from the donor species. For example, wheat could be made herbicide-resistant by adding genes from a resistant weed. Supporters argue GM crops could help solve food shortages and reduce chemical use in farming. Critics worry about uncontrolled pollination spreading GM traits and unknown long-term human health effects. While GM production continues growing in countries like the US and China, opposition remains strong in the UK from those calling for a complete ban.

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    GM crops 14-11-07

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    Genetically modified (GM) crops are created by transferring DNA from one species to another, giving the new plant characteristics from the donor species. For example, wheat could be made herbicide-resistant by adding genes from a resistant weed. Supporters argue GM crops could help solve food shortages and reduce chemical use in farming. Critics worry about uncontrolled pollination spreading GM traits and unknown long-term human health effects. While GM production continues growing in countries like the US and China, opposition remains strong in the UK from those calling for a complete ban.

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    55 views2 pages

    GM Crops 14-11-07

    Uploaded by

    api-3708558
    Genetically modified (GM) crops are created by transferring DNA from one species to another, giving the new plant characteristics from the donor species. For example, wheat could be made herbicide-resistant by adding genes from a resistant weed. Supporters argue GM crops could help solve food shortages and reduce chemical use in farming. Critics worry about uncontrolled pollination spreading GM traits and unknown long-term human health effects. While GM production continues growing in countries like the US and China, opposition remains strong in the UK from those calling for a complete ban.

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    14-11-07

    Genetically Modified Crops

    The latest revolution in plant breeding is a result of genetic


    modification (GM) of seeds. All living things contain DNA, a complex
    molecule that holds a genetic code for each plant or animal. DNA
    contains the instructions, inherited from the previous generation, for
    building the new organism. Genetic modification involves taking some
    of the DNA from one species and adding it to that of another species.
    When a plant is genetically modified, one or more characteristics of the
    donor species are transferred tot eh new plant.

    How GM Works
    Some examples of the methods by which new varieties can be
    developed include:
    - Adding the appropriate genes of a herbicide-resistant weed to a
    wheat seed to produce a type of wheat that is not harmed by
    herbicides. A field of wheat can then be sprayed to kill all the
    weeds without affecting the crop.
    - Adding the genes of a species resistant to a particular pest to
    soya bean seed, so that the plant is not damaged by that pest.
    - Adding a gene from a plant that grows well in an arid
    environment tot eh DNA of a rice plant. This would produce a
    plant that could grow in drier areas than traditional types of rice
    plant.

    Arguments in Favour
    Those in favour of GM crops claim that the newly-engineered crops
    could solve many food shortages around the world, and also reduce
    the input of chemicals into farming., Trials of GM soya beans and maize
    have done well in the USA. Much of the soya imported into the UK and
    used in animal feeds is GM., China has also invested a great deal into
    research of GM rice and cotton crops. Rice is the staple diet for tits
    huge population and cotton is an essential raw material for its clothing
    industry. Such developments are therefore important both for feeding
    its population and for improving its level of development. It is no
    surprise therefore that there is little opposition to GM crops in China.

    Arguments against
    The same cannot be said for th UK. Trials have been conducted ehre
    since 1999, but they have been very controversial. Critics of GM have
    the following objections:
    - The pollen form GM plants may pollinate nearby plants and
    crops, spreading the modifications in an uncontrolled way.
    - Crops on organic farms might be contaminated by the pollen
    form GM crops, causing the farms to lose their organic status.
    - The long-term effects of GM on human health are unknown.

    Protestors have destroyed GM field trials in the UK because of these


    fears. Campaigners want GM crops to be banned completely and point
    to other agricultural innovations that have had serious health effects,
    such as BSE. On other hand, some farmers and companies see a great
    opportunity to make profits from GM crops. The UK government is
    encouraging further testing in laboratories, along with carefully-
    controlled field trials. In the meantime, and GM crops that are sold to
    the public have to be clearly labelled.

    The Future
    At a global scale, GM production is continuing in countries such as the
    USA and China. The international seed companies and food
    manufacturers are unlikely to be influenced by protestors in one
    country. Similarly, within a free-trade environment sucha s the EU, it
    will be increasingly difficult for governments to regulate the import of
    GM seeds or products.

    In LEDCs, farmers may well face similar problems as those caused by


    the Green Revolution. GM seeds will only be available from the large
    seed companies, and it will not be possible to save seeds from one
    year to the next because many of the crops have been designed to
    produce infertile seeds. Poor farmers will not be able to compete with
    their richer neighbours.

    Environmental policies aimed at either increasing the amount of land


    that can be cultivated or improving the quality of land already
    available include:
    - Land reclamation schemes in the Netherlands.
    - The de-rocking scheme on the island of Mauritius which greatly
    improved soil quality.

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