GENETIC ENGINEERING IN AGRICULTURE
The Restoration of Food
gm crops today
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GM crops
GM crops today heavily impact the production of food around the world and are commonly found in supermarkets. Some of the top 5 commonly found GM crops are listed are soy, corn, canola oil, cotton, and milk. Most GM crops today are grown in Argentina, the United States, and Brazil. The production of food continues to grow as more techniques are used for the increase in produce. According to Food Aid Foundation, "795 million people in the world do not have enough food to lead a healthy active life. That's about one in nine people on earth." With the powerful tools of GMOs, this problem could slowly be dismantled.
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Additionally, GMOs keep prices low due to modifications for plants to be watered less frequently, grown in saltwater, and have the ability resist pests.
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Examples of specific well known GM crops are as follows:
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Flavr Savr Tomato
The Flavr Savr Tomato was the first genetically modified crop to be put out to the public. It was approved by the FDA in May of 1994. The modification that scientists desired to apply was a longer storage time, decreasing the need to replenish the produce frequently. Additionally, this was done so by the silencing of the gene that produces polygalacturonase. Polygalacturonase is an enzyme that degrades pectin in cell walls, resulting in the delay of ripening fruit.The company that produced this modified crop was known as Calgene but due to limited sales, Monsanto claimed the company. Furthermore, the FDA stated that the nutritional aspect of the tomato was not altered and that there no evidence of safety risks were recorded.
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Golden Rice
Golden rice, grow in the Philippines has become genetically engineered to become a greater source of vitamin A. It contains beta-carotene, the cause of the vitamin and improves the lives of many daily. Additionally, golden rice can account for 60% of a child's daily suggestion for vitamin A. This can furthermore aid with the problem of malnutrition, especially in children. Peter Jennings, an influential breeder supposedly manufactured the most common variety of golden rice. However, with this solution to malnutrition, controversy still continued to spark. Others found that they felt that children were compared to "guinea pigs" due to the lack of exposure to the title of GMOs.
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Rainbow Papaya
The Rainbow Papaya plays a significant role of produce in Hawaii. The fruit was genetically modified and given the ability to resist viruses due to the Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRV) frequently occuring. PRS became a widespread problem in Puna, causing farmers to lose their produce and source of income. Additionally, this crisis was so significant because of the large production that reliant on Puna. 95% of papaya relied on Puna, adding to the severity of the situation. The symptoms of PRSV include yellowing, leaf deterioration, frequent spots, and occurrences of bumps along the fruit. Finally, Dennis Gonsalves and others learned to control this virus in 1998, leading to the decrease in crops tarnishing.
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top GMO companies
To understand agriculture, one has to know who controls the world, produce wise that directly affects millions of people daily.Prevalent GMO companies today include, BSF, Bayer, Dupont, Dow Chemical Company, Monsanto, and Syngenta. These organizations are powerhouses in the pesticide, biotechnological, and seed industry. Globally, these corporations hold a tremendous amount of power over their products, both a good and bad aspect. Additionally, patent rights allow these companies to control who could purchase their products, denying requetes if felt needed. Influential companies could propel the world into the right direction or backwards. To know more information about these powerhouses click
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[G.11] Here displays top GMO companies and those linked to the corporations.
Increased uses
GMOs have other valued uses other than being used for food. Vaccines can be derived from GMO and also aids in the development of human insulin that according to GMO answers, 5 millions Americans use. Additionally, 75% of cotton used globally was from genetically modified cotton that contributes to clothes, home furnishings, and the paper industry. GMO crops can be also used for energy and fuel, for example biodiesel that is a vegetable and animal fat based to reduce the amount of pollution emitted into the environment.
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