GM And Agriculture

Question 1

How can insect pests be controlled?

Answer 1

Spraying the crops with insecticide.

This kills the insect when it touches the plant.

Question 2

What was the natural insecticide produced by plants called?

Answer 2

Bt toxin

Question 3

What are some advantages of GM Bt toxin?

Answer 3

• Only affects insects that chew the plant
• So they do not affect other insects, which farmers may need to control otherwise
• New Versions of GM crop plants can be developed to replace varieties pests are resistant to
• Many different GM crops produce new genes, making them resistant to a range of pests and herbicides

Question 4

What are some disadvantages of GM Bt toxin?

Answer 4

• Insects develop resistance to the toxin

- More expensive than normal crops but make farmers more profit