Genetically modified food has been a major topic on the minds of many individuals as of late. Basic questions arise such as what exactly are genetically modified foods, what are the health risks, how does it affect the economy, and what are the benefits? .
The term genetically modified food (or GM foods) is most commonly used to refer to crop plants created for human or animal consumption using the latest molecular biology techniques. These plants are created to enhance nutritional value or increase the resistance to herbicides. The old method of enhancing plants was done through breeding them over and over again. This was deemed too time consuming and not accurate enough in the minds of some. Now, scientists can isolate a gene responsible for a certain characteristics of one plant and put it into another. Genes from non-plant cells can also be transplanted into the plants. The best known example of this is the use of BT genes in corn and other crops. BT is a naturally occurring bacterium that produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larvae. BT. crystal protein genes have been transferred into corn, enabling the corn to produce its own pesticides against insects. .
There are some major advantages of using biotechnology in plant production. The earth's population continues to get larger and an abundant food supply will be needed. Gm foods claim to do this in a number of different ways. Gm crops can be engineered to have a higher tolerance to herbicides. When crops are grown farmers usually have to spray weed killers and other herbicides to let the crop grow healthily. If the crops are engineered to be resistant to one extremely powerful herbicide then many herbicides would not be needed. This could prove helpful to the environment. Another advantage of GM food could be pest resistance. Farmers can lose an unbelievable amount of money if their crops are destroyed by pests. Many farmers have to use a large amount of pesticide.