Genetically Modified (GM) crops are plants which have had their DNA altered in some way, to improve a particular trait. This allows positive characteristics to be transferred from one plant variety to another. For example the gene for resistance to a particular pest may be transplanted from one plant into another of the same or a different species. In this way an entire generation of pest-resistant plants can be produced. The artificial transfer of the gene is what makes the process so much faster. Through conventional breeding, producing a resistant strain would take several plant generations. While these several generations of plants are bred another generation of humans would continue to watch over 10% of their own generation go undernourished.
However, even more than speed GM crops offer the chance for true innovation through the transfer of genes between species. This can produce plant varieties which without GM would simply not be possible.
Read the full, original story here: “In Defence of: GM crops”
