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.