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Track 19

Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

G
enetically modified crops are plants that have been changed in some way
using advanced biological techniques. These crops are altered by adding
genes from other organisms into their DNA, making them easier to grow
and healthier to eat. This might include splicing genes from bacteria, animals, or
5 other plants with those of a particular crop to enhance desired traits and eradicate
negative qualities.
The primary focus of GM technology over the last decade has been on staple
food crops such as maize, rice, soybeans, canola (rapeseed), and also cotton seed oil.
Examples of genetic intervention include making crops more tolerant to herbicides
10 or more resistant to insecticides. There are also studies underway to create food
crops that could potentially be more resistant to drought, frost, and soils with a
higher salt content. Scientists also aspire to create a banana containing a vaccine for
the infectious disease Hepatitis B, and biologists in Switzerland and Germany have
already created a rice variety fortified with Vitamin A called “Golden Rice.”
15 GM crops have been the subject of much controversy since they were first
introduced to consumers in the 1990s. Many people are worried about the potential
dangers of GM crops. Although most people have already been exposed to some kind
of GM product through processed foods, and scientists maintain they have not found
evidence that they are harmful to humans, their long term health effects remain
20 unknown. Critics also argue that GM crops destabilize ecosystems and have been
proven to harm animals in certain case studies. They think scientists are playing god
and could wreak environmental havoc on the planet
by planting GM crops.
In 2005, scientists in Australia found that an
25 insect-resistant, genetically modified pea caused an
allergic reaction in field mice that ate it. This case was used
to show that growing GM crops can have very unexpected
consequences and that we don’t always know what could happen to

5
eradicate --- to get rid of; to destroy or remove completely
7
staple --- main; principal
9
herbicide --- a poison that kills weeds
14
fortify --- to strengthen or enrich by adding something
20
destabilize --- to make unstable
22
wreak havoc --- to create chaos or great disorganization
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fertility --- a measure of the ability to have children or offspring
35
cross-pollination --- the transfer of pollen from one plant to
another
47
residue --- a portion of matter remaining after evaporation,
filtration, or other processes
50
proponent --- a person who promotes a cause or idea

the environment when we plant them. The findings of a feeding study conducted by
30 Austrian scientists were released in November 2008, showing that a form of GM maize
had lowered fertility in mice. The maize was shown to damage the reproductive
organs of the mice.
Critics are also concerned that if herbicide- or insect-resistant genes are
naturally passed from GM crops to weeds growing nearby, these weeds would then
35 grow out of control. There are already cases where accidental cross-pollination of
plants occurred, and non-GM plants developed resistant traits. Once these
traits spread, it would be very hard to bring weeds under control. This might
mean food crops would suffer more than ever before because they would have
to compete with weeds for food and water.
40 Large companies that specialize in agricultural technology and have
invested a lot of time and money creating GM crops are eager to promote
them. They say GM foods can help feed the planet, have environmental
benefits, and are completely safe to eat. They argue that plants that are
resistant to insects will no longer be eaten by these pests, meaning more crops
45 can be harvested. Crops which are resistant to herbicides can grow without having to
be sprayed with as much poison as non-GM crops. This helps the environment
because there aren’t as many toxic residues from herbicides and insecticides polluting
soil and water sources. If fewer poisons are used to protect plants during the growth
process, they will also be safer for human consumption.
50 Proponents of GM technology believe that crops could eventually be created
that would grow in harsh desert or mountain environments, making food more readily
available to people who live there. They argue that because the world’s population is
increasing at such a rapid rate, GM crops are essential to help feed the planet and save
many from potential starvation. At the moment, about 70,000 km2 of agricultural land
55 is lost annually due to the growth of cities and other factors. That means we are
running out of land to grow crops and need to make the agricultural land we have
more productive. GM crops, say some scientists, are the answer. Because existing
lands could potentially yield more crops, fewer rainforests would be cut down to
make room for crop fields, ultimately benefiting the planet.

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