SB4h GM and Agriculture

Question 1

how can pests be controlled? 2

Answer 1

~insecticides
~biological control

Question 2

why are pests bad?

Answer 2

they reduce crop yield

Question 3

GM advantages? 5

Answer 3

~Bt toxin only affects insects that eat the plant - no harm to pollinators
~less reliance on insecticides
~insect predators are unharmed
~GM crops have higher yield - more profit
~GM crops can be resistant to pests and herbicides

Question 4

GM disadvantages? 5

Answer 4

~insects that suck sap are not killed by toxin so farmer may still need to use insecticides
~insects can become resistant to the toxin
~GM crops more expensive
~concerns that eating GM has unknown health risks
~concerns that resistance genes could pass to weeds during cross breeding