Biology, asked by sdfsfs9239, 1 year ago

What are genetically modified crops and what are the advantages and the dangers of the gm crops

Answers

Answered by vijaysir999932
1

Answer:

What is Genetically Modified or GM Crops?

Genetically modified crops (GM crops) are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified using genetic engineering methods. In most cases, the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species. Examples in food crops include resistance to certain pests, diseases, environmental conditions, reduction of spoilage, resistance to chemical treatments (e.g. resistance to a herbicide), or improving the nutrient profile of the crop. Examples in non-food crops include production of pharmaceutical agents, biofuels, and other industrially useful goods, as well as for bioremediation.

Advantages of Genetically Modified or GM Crops:

1. It improves production and raise farmer's income. Indian farmers are still practicing traditional process of seeding and cultivation, which required scientific moves for raising their production. Hence, it is one of the moves to enhance the farm production.

2. It reduces the use of pesticide and insecticide during farming that might be great moves for the betterment of the food supply.

3. It can feed a rapidly increasing population because it shows dramatically increased yeilds.

4. It can produce more in small area of land.

5. India introduced Bt cotton seeds in 2002. It has greatly reduced the use of toxic pesticides. Bt cotton produces a common soil bacterium, Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt). It is a natural pest repelling bacteria that is toxic to many worms and pests that can harm the crop but is not hazardous to humans. Bt is widely sprayed on crops by organic farmers as a pesticide. As a result of the adoption of Bt cotton, India is now the largest cotton producer in the world.

Disadvantages of Genetically Modified or GM Crops:

1. The production imposes high risks to the disruption of ecosystem and biodiversity because the “better” traits produced from engineering genes can result in the favouring of one organism. Hence, it can eventually disrupt the natural process of gene flow.

2. It increases the cost of cultivation and more inclined towards marketization of farming that work on immoral profits.

3. The transgenic crops endanger not only farmers but also the trade, and the environment as well.

4. It is biologically altered. Hence, biotech foods may pose a human health risk.

5. The excessive production of genetically modified foods will be rendered ineffective over time because the pests that these toxins used to deter might eventually develop resistance towards them.

Similar questions