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Reduce Agricultural Input  

Pesticides

Pesticides are widely used in today's agricultural farms to kill insects that feed on the crops. However, increased usage not only kills other harmless organisms, but also lead to the evolution of pesticide resistance pests. By GE it is possible to reduce the need of input for chemical pesticides. This is done by making the crop to make it’s own pesticides or fertilizers. The most common ways reduce a crop’s need of pesticides is by inserting a gene from a common soil bacterium, called Bacillus thurengiensis or Bt. The gene causes the plant to produce a protective protein which is poisonous to pest but harmless to human. This is because human’s stomach uses acidic hydrochloride acid during digestion, while most pests‘ digestive channels are alkaline. The Bt protein only became poisonous when meet an alkaline medium.

Fertilisers

The reduce usage of fertilizers benefits the environment. The excessive use of fertilizers today often cause fertilizers to escape into the natural habitats, encourage the over growth of fungi and eventually kills organisms living in ponds or rivers. Genetically modified crops will require less fertilisers.

Land

As the population on Earth grows, land becomes scarce. It is more difficult for farmers to find land to grow crops. With genetic engineering, we can produce crops that are able to grow in harsh conditions, such as desserts, and mountain tops. Thus, flat land can be saved for recreational, residential or industrial purposes.

Conclusion

The reduced in input brought about by genetic engineering will reduce the cost of production and thus the cost of food. This will indirectly solve the problem of hunger as food will be cheaper and more poor people can afford to buy them.

 

 

 

Pests eating GM crops will be poisoned. However, this poisonous protein is harmless to human.

 

 

Increasing number of GM crops are able to be grown on hill slopes and terraces.

 

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Benefits of GM

Table of Contents:
>Easier Transportation
>Gene Therapy
>Increase in Food Production
>Vaccines and Hormones
>New Organ Donors
>Reduce Agricultural Input

 
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