Introduction
The production by means of advanced biotechnology is known as genetically modified (GM) crops for human consumption. The objective of this type of production is to meet the bulk requirement with the healthiest crops flawless in the seeds and its produce in par lance of health and hygiene. Genetic engineering increases qualities in the crops as well as reduces the need for pesticides, by boosting the crop’s resistant power to pests. Maize, wheat, rice, BT cotton, potatoes, etc. are some of the most common crops that are genetically produced.
GM Crops—a Bless or a Curse?
With rapid and widespread popularity of genetically manufactured (GM) crops, there rises voices across the world for and against their hygienic qualities. Scientists and economists argue that GM crops are unique in the interest of economy as well as society, whereas environmentalists and other groups of scientists reply that GM crops are harmful to the environment and hazardous for health in the long run. Let’s try to discover the good and bad of GM crops.
Advantages
i. Low production cost: Although the GM crops are costlier comparatively, but the overall costs it sums up is less as, these crops do not need pesticides or insecticides. Moreover, it yields in greater quantity which brings higher profits. Besides this, GM crops are tolerant to drought and salt in the soil, highly disease resistant, and immune to herbicides destroying weeds.
ii. Increase in employment opportunity: The advanced technology used in this field of research works creates employment opportunities for several people. Besides the employment in research sector, there is a greater demand of manpower in the harvest season because of the rapid growth in yielding crops.
iii. Profitable for farmers: Some specific studies have revealed that the profits of the farmers go up especially because of the rise in yield for the genetically modified seeds.
iv. Beneficial to cost and health: GM crops directly provide better health for the consumers because of the genetically produced healthy qualities. These crops also stop consumption and the probable harmful effects of the chemicals widely used in the insecticides and pesticides
Disadvantages
i. Damaging cell tissues in the modification process: The process includes invasive modification. As a result, it maximises the chance of damage to the cell tissues of the plant.
ii. Cancer threat: GM products have the risk of carrying carcinogens.
iii. Probability of allergic diseases: The GM crops can also cause allergic diseases because of the procedure involved in it.
Conclusion
It is clear that the advantages of the GM crops are much more than their disadvantages. These crops can, moreover, meet the huge demand of the growing population across the world with much better hygienic qualities. While the negative impacts are much lesser than the positive ones, the consumption of GM crops is far better than the traditional health hazardous crops and go on meeting need of the hour.