The Next Generation Crop
October 30, 2008
Foods that are genetically modified are produced from genetically adapted organisms such as plants. These plants consist of altered genes and this is the main reason that makes it simple to farm. Some of these plants can fight pests in a better way in comparison to the normal varieties. Chemical insecticides do not have a major impact on other varieties and most of the time they are able to out produce and outgrow their natural produce making it the next generation crop.
Calgene was the first Californian Company to produce the first GMO plant, which was a tomato plant in the year 1994 and was considered the next generation crop. It successfully produced tomatoes that were highly rot resistant called Flavr Savrs. These altered tomatoes were very expensive in comparison to the ordinary varieties of tomatoes and also succeeded in taking over the conservative varieties. Today, various crops such as cotton, soybeans, corn and canola are being genetically altered. North America specially the U.S. produces the largest number of GMO crops.
It is very clear that human beings have been genetically altering crops for ages in the form of selective breeding. The only exception is the technique used. The harvests that are genetically altered are changed by manipulating the DNA of these plants whereas old-fashioned plants are altered in older ways such as breeding.
Purpose of GMOs?
The only straightforward and simple answer for this is very simple: Revenue. Farming is not at all an easy task. A disease or a pest attack on the crops can destroy the whole year’s hard work of the farmers instantly and can sweep away the entire farm as a whole. This kind of ambiguity proves to be a bad investment for farmers and their farming. The crops that are genetically altered can easily resist the fling, dart of life, and provide the necessary consistency to farming. They can bring about an increase in the production that will eventually bring down its prices leading to an increase in the number of satisfied humans or vegetarians. This is the main reason people in the agricultural business have moved a step further and invested a large amount of time and money in genetically altered crops. However, this is just a small contribution of GMO. Various scientists have even said that these crops can be of huge help in solving the world’s starvation issues.
Are these safe?
Several government agencies in addition to the U.S.Food and Drug Administration have certified these GMO foods as safe. Each of these agencies owns its individual practical, systematic and stringent methods to ensure total safety of these foods.































