Gm Crops 14-11-07

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 carefullycontrolled 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.