Genetic modification allows us to
manipulate the characteristics of a plant
by altering its genome.
Let’s go to school for a moment and
learn more about Genetic
Modification
Let us assume that there are four variants of
wheat with different characteristics.
D
Let us assume that there are four variants of
wheat with different characteristics.
“A” variety grows extremely quickly
D
Let us assume that there are four variants of
wheat with different characteristics.
“B” variety is drought tolerant
D
Let us assume that there are four variants of
wheat with different characteristics.
“C” variety has a high plant height
D
Let us assume that there are four variants of
wheat with different characteristics.
D
“D” variety is rust resistant
A farmer wants all these four characteristics from
the four seeds in one seed.
D
ABCD
These seeds are planted into a
paddock.
D
After a few weeks, the seeds grow,
ready to flower.
D
Pollination occurs from A to B and
from D to C.
D
We get the variety AB and CD.
After another season, we get ABCD.
This natural cross-breeding allows us to
get crosses without investing in new
technology.
However, it can take a long time to
achieve a perfect cross-breed and plants
can get the bad characteristics as well.
It also restricts farmers from mixing genes
from different organisms together, for
example a banana and a fish.
To overcome this problem, genetic
engineering is used to provide farmers
with plants with ideal characteristics.
Genetic engineering
involves either modifying
the existing DNA, or adding
a gene to the DNA.
This allows only the desired
genes to be transferred.
The possibilities are
endless!
Say we want to change the DNA of a plant.
The DNA could have some bases replaced.
bases
The DNA could have some bases added.
The DNA could have some bases removed.
The modified DNA is inserted into an
Agrobacterium.
inserted DNA
nucleus
The Agrobacterium is then inserted into the
plant.
This allows GM plants to have better features in
less time.
1st
2nd
However, there is still some concern
over GM crops.
Is it safe?
Let us look at a maize crop
One difficult task for maize farmers is to keep
the pests away from the maize crop.
Otherwise…
To reduce the amount of pesticide needed
annually, a bacteria known as Bacillus
thuringiensis or Bt, is inserted into the plant.
“Natural” Peanut Plant
“GM” Peanut Plant using Bt
Bt works like chocolate. Chocolate is lethal for
dogs, but is consumable for humans.
Similarly, Bt kills any pests that try to eat it,
but presents no harmful effects to humans.
With the population rising and the
amount of arable land being the same,
farmers need to grow more using…
Genetic Engineering!
Genetic modification can increase the
yield of a plant. This increases the
efficiency of a farm.
The only way we can accomplish this
mission is by working together, both
rural and urban.
If this balance is disturbed, then both rural and urban will
fall.
The global goal of feeding the world is a
responsibility of both the urban and rural.
Agriculture does not just mean farmers. The
agriculture industry relies on different occupations.
Information
Produce
Genetic modification provides
agriculture with the possibility of feeding
the future with existing amount of land.
However, genetic modification has
different views.
Some views are positive.
Some views are negative.
Genetic modification can cause serious problems in
the nutritional value of the foods we eat. A mistake
can affect millions of people instantaneously.
One practice performed by GM companies is to use
genetic use restriction technology (GURT). This
makes the plant sterile. Sterile seeds cannot be
used for making more seeds, so the farmer has to
always buy seeds from the GM company for every
season.
Society has the perception that GM is not natural
and therefore “bad”. However, GM helps to speed
up nature and allow preferred genes in a plant that
would otherwise take many seasons in “natural”
farming practices.
Every advance in technology makes life easier for us
in the long term. Genetic modification is not 100%
safe, but if it is a solution to the global food crisis, it
should be a field to look into.
Genetic modification allows plants
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Have higher crop yield
Provide more nutritious food
To adapt harsh environments
Be resistant to pests
Have longer shelf life
To be a source for medicine
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Now in KIWI flavour!