GM_Crops_Flashcards
Topic
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GM CROPS
Genetically modified crops (GMCs, GM crops, or biotech crops) are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified using genetic engineering techniques.
Examples of GM crops
Resistance to pests, diseases, environmental conditions, reduction of spoilage, herbicide resistance, improved nutrient profile.
Scientific Consensus
There is scientific consensus that GM crops pose no greater risk to human health than conventional food, but GM foods must be tested on a case-by-case basis.
Public Perception
The public is less likely than scientists to perceive GM foods as safe.
Legal and Regulatory Status
The legal and regulatory status of GM crops varies by country; some ban or restrict them, while others regulate or permit them. Opponents have raised environmental, safety, and accessibility concerns.
First GM Crop in China
China introduced virus-resistant tobacco in 1992.
First GM Crop in U.S.
FlavrSavr tomato (1994), approved for its longer shelf life in the U.S.
First GM Crop in Europe
In 1994, the EU approved herbicide-resistant tobacco, making it the first GM crop in Europe.
Bt Potato
Bt Potato (1995), approved as the first pesticide-producing crop in the U.S.
Other Approved Crops (1995)
In 1995, canola with modified oil, Bt maize, cotton, soybeans, squash, and tomatoes were approved in the U.S. 35 approvals were granted for 8 crops and 1 flower crop by mid-1996.
Types of Modifications
Genetic modifications in plants are transgenic, cisgenic, subgenic, or intragenic.
Transgenic
Transgenic plants have genes from other species, either within the same kingdom (plant to plant) or across kingdoms (bacteria to plant).
Cisgenic
Cisgenic crops use genes from the same species or crossbreedable pool. They are governed by the same laws as transgenic crops.
Subgenic
Subgenic crops involve splicing to remove unnecessary genes instead of adding foreign genes. In 2014, wheat resistant to powdery mildew was created by deleting genes that repress defenses.
Intragenic
Intragenic modification inserts gene sequences from crops in the same gene pool, with gene regulation by promoters and terminators from within the same pool.
GM CROP SCENARIO
In 2015, 18 million farmers planted biotech crops in 28 countries
Small Farmers Contribution
Over 54% or about 97.1 million hectares were planted by small and resource-poor farmers from developing countries
Brazil Hectarage Growth
The highest increase in any country, in absolute hectarage growth, was Brazil with 2 million hectares
Global Distribution
Biotech crops were grown commercially on all six continents of the world
Mega-Countries in 2015
Of the 28 countries planting biotech crops in 2015, 19 countries planted 50,000 hectares or more to biotech crops, including USA, Brazil, India, China, etc.
Soybean Biotech
In 2015, 83% (92.1 million hectares) of the 111 million hectares of soybean planted globally were biotech
Biotech Cotton
Biotech cotton was planted on 24 million hectares, which is 78% of the global cotton
Biotech Maize
Of the 185 million hectares of global maize planted in 2015, 29% or 53.6 million hectares were biotech maize
Herbicide Tolerant Canola
Herbicide tolerant biotech canola was planted in 8.5 million hectares or 24% of the 36 million hectares globally
GM Crops in India
India has the fourth-largest area planted under genetically modified (GM) crops; the entire GM crop area in India consists of Bt cotton
Bt Cotton in India
Nearly 96% of India’s cotton area is now covered by Bt hybrids; Bt technology helped India treble its cotton output from 13 million bales to 40 million
Bt Brinjal
Bt brinjal is a GMO developed by inserting a crystal protein gene (Cry1Ac) from Bacillus thuringiensis to resist insects like the Brinjal Fruit Borer
Public Reaction to Bt Brinjal
There was a public outcry and a moratorium imposed by the Indian government on Bt brinjal development
