Along with the multitude of different farming techniques, another issue that affects farmers is biotechnology. As producing food efficiently becomes more critical, scientists and farmers have turned to the science of genetic engineering.
Modern biotechnology is a refinement of the breeding techniques that have been used by farmers to improve plants for thousands of years. Scientists have improved plants since the late 1800s by changing their genetic makeup. This has been accomplished through techniques such as crossbreeding and hybridization, where two related plants are cross-fertilized and the resulting offspring have characteristics of both parent plants.
Many foods already commonly available that are products of these techniques include hybrid maize, nectarines (genetically altered peaches), and tangelos (a hybrid of tangerine and grapefruit). Today, by inserting one or more genes into a plant, scientists can produce a plant with new, advantageous characteristics. Because of the increased precision offered by bioengineered methods, the risk of introducing negative traits is likely to be lessened.
Genetic engineering can be used to modify the genetic compositions of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Currently, technology is used mainly to modify crops. Genetically engineered products must go through a period of research and development before they can be used.
During the past decade, biotechnology has made available genetically engineered crops - corn, soybean, and cotton - that have been altered to control insects and weeds. Crops are being engineered to better tolerate the effects of herbicides, insects, and viruses. Food animals, such as engineered fish, are also being studied.
Some scientists are concerned that engineered products might be harmful to peoples health or to the environment. Common concerns include the possibility that engineered crops might contaminate the food supply with drugs, kill beneficial insects along with harmful ones, cross-pollinate with wild species, or otherwise impact natural resources. Some worry that engineered fish could alter native ecosystems, even killing off native species. Other scientists disagree, saying that traits developed by modern biotechnology are more predictable and controllable than the hybrid methods used in the past and that we have a better understanding of the changes being made and are in a better position to understand safety issues.
Scientists are also experimenting with ways to delay the ripening of tomatoes. They are working on methods to increase dairy cows milk production. Plants and foods produced using biotechnology are put through strict testing procedures before being offered to the public.
In the future, scientists may find ways to engineer animals to produce leaner meat, engineer chickens and turkeys to resist avian diseases, and produce plants that are not vulnerable to insects. New developments and discoveries are being made all the time in this fast-paced branch of science and technology.
Answer the questions.
1) Why have farmers turned to genetic engineering?
2) What techniques have been used by farmers to improve plants?
3) What is crossbreeding?
4) What is genetic engineering used for?
5) What are the possible negative effects of genetic engineering?
7. Find in the text the English equivalents to the following words and phrases:
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