Advantages of GM Crops PDF

Advantages of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically modified foods (GMFs) on agricultural, health, environmental and social aspects Dr. N.M. Chamil Nayanakantha Senior Lecturer (Grade I) The definition of a Genetically Modified Organism or GM crop is cont...

Advantages of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically modified foods (GMFs) on agricultural, health, environmental and social aspects Dr. N.M. Chamil Nayanakantha Senior Lecturer (Grade I) The definition of a Genetically Modified Organism or GM crop is contained in the United Nations (UN) Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety of a “living modified organism” (LMO). A plant is genetically modified if it meets two requirements: (1)the plant contains a novel combination of genetic material, (2)which was introduced by using modern biotechnology Through genetic engineering, scientists are able to move desirable genes from one plant or animal to another or from a plant to an animal or vice versa. By desirable, it means it can produce an outcome that is regarded as generally “beneficial” or “useful”. The organism that has undergone such genetic modification is referred to as “genetically modified organism” or GMO. In essence, genetic engineering is a technology wherein a specific gene can be selected and implanted into the recipient organism. Genetic engineering uses recombinant DNA, molecular cloning, and transformation. What are the benefits of genetic engineering in agriculture? Everything in life has its benefits and risks, and genetic engineering is no exception. Much has been said about potential risks of genetic engineering technology, but so far there is little evidence from scientific studies that these risks are real. Transgenic organisms can offer a range of benefits above and beyond those that emerged from innovations in traditional agricultural biotechnology. Following are a few examples of benefits resulting from applying currently available genetic engineering techniques to agricultural biotechnology.  Benefits of GM Crops Since 1996 Biotech GM crops have contributed to food and feed security and has increased productivity and economic gains. The market value of biotech seeds in US alone was about US$ 15.8 billion in 2016. Biotech crops has increased the productivity by 574 million tons and the economic gains of small scale farmers has reached up to US$ 167.8 billion (ISAAA, 2016). The increasing population has led to decrease in arable land and shelter, which has led to exploitation of several natural habitats. But GM crops has increased the production thereby will help in conserving the biodiversity by stopping the anthropogenic activities Apart from this, GM crops have eliminated the necessity of pre- emergence spraying, thus zero tilling or minimum tilling can be integrated with these crops. This will lead to reduced soil erosion and conservation of soil microfauna and flora (Marshall, 1998). Reports from Brookes and Barfoot (2017) has revealed that use of biotech crops in the last two decades has reduced the environmental footprints from agriculture by 619 million kgs of active ingredients. The most common herbicide resistance genes used are for glyphosate and glufosinate which are less recalcitrant than many of the chemical herbicides thus reduces groundwater contamination (Duke, 1998). Weed control using GM technology enables control of some herbicide resistant biotypes, like black grass, Alopecurus myosuroides (Duke, 1998). The use of genetically engineered insect resistant crops has also reduced the use of chemical insecticides(Peferoen, 1997). The pest control is also more effective as the gene expression is consecutive. This reduced herbicide and insecticide usage has resulted in reduced emission of greenhouse gases. In 2015 alone, a reduction in 26.7 billion kgs of CO2 was recorded (ISAAA, 2016). Biotech crops has helped in mitigating challenges associated with climate changes like drought tolerant maize was released in 2013. Increased crop productivity Biotechnology has helped to increase crop productivity by introducing such qualities as disease resistance and increased drought tolerance to the crops. Now, researchers can select genes for disease resistance from other species and transfer them to important crops. In some cases, an effective transgenic crop-protection technology can control pests better and more cheaply than existing technologies. In these cases, yields increase as the new technology provides more effective control. In other cases, a new technology is adopted because it is less expensive than a current technology with equivalent control. For example, with Bt engineered into a corn crop, the entire crop is resistant to certain pests, not just the part of the plant to which Bt insecticide has been applied. Fruit and Shoot Borer (FSB) Control Measures in Brinjal The farmers spray insecticide almost every alternate day with as many as 84 applications in a cropping season (BARI, 1994). Enhanced crop protection Farmers use crop-protection technologies because they provide cost-effective solutions to pest problems which, if left uncontrolled, would severely lower yields. As mentioned above, crops such as corn, cotton, and potato have been successfully transformed through genetic engineering to make a protein that kills certain insects when they feed on the plants. The protein is from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which has been used for decades as the active ingredient of some “natural” insecticides. Further examples come from dry climates, where crops must use water as efficiently as possible. Genes from naturally drought-resistant plants can be used to increase drought tolerance in many crop varieties. Genetically Example Organism Genetic Change conferred Trait Approved Commercial Products Herbicide Soybean Glyphosate herbicide (Roundup) tolerance tolerance conferred by expression of a glyphosate-tolerant form of the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3- phosphate synthase (EPSPS) isolated from the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefacians strain CP4 Insect Corn Resistance to insect pests, specifically the resistance European corn borer, through expression of the insecticidal protein Cry1Ab from Bacillus thuringiensis Altered fatty Canola High laurate levels achieved by inserting the gene acid for ACP thioesterase from the California bay tree composition Umbellularia californica Virus Plum Resistance to plum pox virus conferred by resistance insertion of a coat protein (CP) gene from the virus Plum Improvements in food processing The first food product resulting from genetic engineering technology to receive regulatory approval, in 1990, was chymosin, an enzyme produced by genetically engineered bacteria. It replaces calf rennet in cheese-making and is now used in 60 percent of all cheese manufactured. Its benefits include increased purity, a reliable supply, a 50 percent cost reduction, and high cheese yield efficiency. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical companies use biotechnology for manufacturing drugs, pharmacogenomics, gene therapy, and genetic testing. Biotech companies make biotechnology products ( more specifically said biotech pharmaceutical products) by manipulating and modifying organisms, usually at molecular level. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology companies use recombinant DNA technology, which entails genetic manipulation of cells, or a monoclonal antibody for making their biotechnological. These biotech pharmaceutical pro ducts made by the biotech companies are widely used in prevention, diagnosis or treatment of many types of diseases products. At the experimental stage, a large number of drugs, diagnostic probes, vaccines and so on are frequently applied in livestock production prior to becoming available for use by humans. Improved nutritional value Genetic engineering has allowed new options for improving the nutritional value, flavor, and texture of foods. Transgenic crops in development include soybeans with higher protein content, potatoes with more nutritionally available starch and an improved amino acid content, beans with more essential amino acids, and rice with the ability produce beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, to help prevent blindness in people who have nutritionally inadequate diets. Environmental benefits When genetic engineering results in reduced pesticide dependence, we have less pesticide residues on foods, we reduce pesticide leaching into groundwater, and we minimize farm worker exposure to hazardous products. With Bt cotton’s resistance to three major pests, the transgenic variety now represents half of the U.S. cotton crop and has thereby reduced total world insecticide use by 15 percent! Also, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “increases in adoption of herbicide-tolerant soybeans were associated with small increases in yields and variable profits but significant decreases in herbicide use.