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Biotechnology began rudimentarily; in a bid to improve the quality of their livestock, some cattle rearers began the practice of cross-breeding with the best of their cows and bulls. Modern biotechnologists, like their early counterparts have the same targets and employ similar means. They use living organisms to make or modify their products. The noticeable difference between these two however, is the approach. Modern biotechnologists use less primitive methods to achieve their aims. They modify the genetic material of organisms directly and precisely.
Perhaps due to this difference in approach, or some reason otherwise; biotechnologists and their genetically modified products are not being fully appreciated. While many question the safety of BT products, both to humans and the environment, others focus on ethics. One protester from England said “My only objection to genetically modified foods is that they are unsafe, unwanted and unnecessary.”
Such remarks bring to question, the integrity of BT engineers and the potency of their products. But thanks to my personal research on this issue, I have gained some insight on it, and I also cherish this opportunity given me to share my humble views. Many supporters of the biotechnology cause are of the view that genetically modified foods hold a promise of a new green revolution. Why do they express such optimism? Well, let’s consider the benefits that this amazing technology has to offer us.
Modifications and Innovations
Imagine the convenience of being able to store your freshly harvested tomato crops without the fear that they wouldn’t remain firm and fresh after just a few days, or the relief of storing your potatoes, without having to bother about insects and pests. How about the satisfaction of deciding the colour of pigment your fruits would present when cut or bruised. All of the above are now achievable endeavours, thanks to the works of BT engineers. The innovations have succeeded to such an extent that farmers can even decide to plant their crops earlier than their regular planting seasons. As overwhelming as the present benefit are, so also the future modifications that the BT Products, still in the works have to offer. One cannot help but marvel at the extent science has come, when it comes to food engineering!
Value for Money
Farmers have hitherto, spent huge colossal sums on the purchase of insecticides and pesticides. This usually increase the capital required for agricultural ventures. But biotechnology has come to their rescue with the engineering of crops which are insect and pest-repellent. This technology will go a long way in reducing food production cost and subsequently, poverty. For scarce monetary resources would be used for other pressing human issues.
Safety
The safety and palatability of most genetically modified foods have been proven and confirmed through series of scientific tests. BT products are said to be indistinguishable from natural ones, so that labelling would be the only option, for those who want segregation. No reports have so far, given conclusive evidence that BT products are poisonous in any way.
Regulations
Biotechnology companies have always striven to cooperate with regulatory agencies, wherever they exist. For those clamouring for the segregation of BT products from natural ones in the United States, the FDA has come to their aid, ready to dole out instructions and enact policies as soon as their reports are compiled. Already, Canada has an agreement reached on the issue of labelling BT products to give the power of preference to food consumers.
Global Food Production
A leader of the biotechnology industry has declared that genetic engineering “is a promising tool in the effort to provide more food” to a global population that grows by about 230,000 people everyday. What hope that food shortages can be reduced especially in poorer, under-developed parts of the world? Modified crops in the works include beans and grains with much higher levels of protein. Such super plants many hope could pass their useful new genes and traits on to succeeding generations, yielding more bountiful harvests on marginal land, in poor over-populated countries. What a hope, now realisable.
Other Agricultural Benefits
Products of BT have been known to possess the ability to control parasitic weeds, fight diseases and provide new in-roads into medical research.
Development
Low income subsistence farmers like the many in Africa, will benefit immensely from BT. Drought tolerant BT products will surely relieve many of the problems related to drought.
The president of a leading biotechnology firm further said: “There is certainly much to be said for improving the lot of farmers of this world… and we’ll do that by using biotechnology to do on the molecular and single gene level, what plant breeders have been doing with whole plants’ for centuries. We’ll create better products that meet specific needs and we’ll do it faster than ever before.”
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micmon
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