BOB Manipal Essay - Genetically Modified Crops - Ruchi

Science sometimes seems to be a magic, sometimes a miracle but at the end of the day it is a reality that cannot be denied. Genetically modified crops is one such reality. As the name suggests, genetic modification is manipulation of genetic material(usually DNA) of an organism in order to introduce a new desired trait in an organism that is naturally absent in the species. Such a modification when done in the genes of the plants modifies them genetically and hence called as genetically engineered crops. But the question of our concern is why genetically modified crops when organic farming is there. In organic farming, farmers use manure, biofertilizers, biopesticides etc. to produce crops. But as the land is shrinking and the size of population is increasing the demand for the food is hence reaching its peak. This means that we need to produce a larger amount of crops in order to save the world from hunger. The organic farming cannot increase the yield of crop to appreciable degree, so the solution of this problem is use of genetically modified crops.

GM crops contain and express one or more useful foreign genes. The technique used ensures the crop and food safety in a more efficient way as - any gene from any organism or a synthetic gene can be used for incorporation and changes in genotypes are precisely controlled. The technique is superior to breeding as in breeding already present genes are reshuffled.

Due to genetic modification GM crops have been useful in many ways.GM crops have been engineered in such a way that they are resistant to insects and other pests thus reducing our dependence on chemical pesticides. The most typical example of the same is but cotton. The crops have been made more tolerant to abiotic stresses (cold, drought, salt, heat etc.) which means there will be good quality and sufficient yield under adverse weather conditions. These crops are also believed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, environmental problems etc. Adding more of the benefits, GM plants also enhance the nutritional value of food which will also help significantly in fighting against malnutrition in the developing countries eg- golden rice which is rich in vitamin A. Since GM crops can be raised with ease, they thus are essentially capable of producing greater amount of food. In order to feed hungry people around the globe, forests need to be developed as croplands (by deforestation) but with genetic modification of the crops this needs not to be done. Also we will have to spend less on veggies as when the yield will be high the prices will go down.

So considering the issue of hunger, production, malnutrition and rising population, GM crops seem to be dependable solution.