Feeding the World – Rising to the Challenge with Agricultural Biotechnology and GMOs

As farmers and ranchers work to meet the challenge of feeding a growing global population, they continue to grow more with less— less water, less land, less fertilizer and pesticides, and less impact on the environment. Biotechnology in agriculture has helped make these innovations possible.

A man holds a handful of dirt in a cornfield.

What is Biotechnology?

Biotechnology in farming uses biological processes to develop innovative new tools and techniques to improve crop production. This includes more traditional techniques, such as selective breeding, as well as modern techniques such as genetic engineering.

Biotechnology doesn’t replace traditional farming methods but enhances them. Tools such as genetic management and selective breeding have been used for centuries to help accomplish these goals. Today, we’re just doing it better with genetically modified organisms, also called GMOs, a common type of biotechnology.

What are the Benefits of Agricultural Biotechnology?

The benefits of GMOs and other biotechnology include increasing crop yield, improving resistance to pests or diseases and increasing nutritional content. This benefits farmers, consumers and the environment! Farmers are able to produce more crops of higher quality while using less resources. Techniques like selective breeding and genetic modification can increase drought and pest resistance, lessening the need for water and pesticides. These benefits are then passed onto consumers in the form of healthier foods at a better price. Innovative methods such as GMO technology offers a powerful tool in tackling global challenges such as food scarcity and environmental sustainability.

Curious about the genetic modification of corn and other crops? Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about agricultural biotechnology and why it is an important tool for today’s corn farmers.

FAQs

Selective breeding in farming is the process of selecting crop varieties with specific desirable traits to reproduce to create a variety that has certain attractive traits. Common desirable traits include higher yields, increased drought resistance and improved resistance to pests and diseases.  

GMO stands for genetically modified organism. It refers to any living organism, including plants and animals, whose genetic material has been altered using modern biotechnology techniques. GMOs have been extensively tested prior to being released to the market.

Genetic modification refers to human intervention to create a different genetic combination to create a desired outcome. Biotechnology allows researchers to create gene combinations that result in diversity and enhanced performance.

The focus of GMOs in agriculture is to help plants such as corn overcome stresses and challenges that keep them from achieving their full potential.

Bioengineered food, also known as genetically engineered or genetically modified food, refers to food products derived from organisms whose genetic material has been altered through biotechnology methods.

These changes involve the introduction of specific genes from one organism into another, resulting in desired traits or characteristics. This scientific approach allows for the enhancement of crop yield, increased resistance to pests or diseases, and improved nutritional content. The development of bioengineered food, such as GMO corn, is driven by the goal of addressing global challenges such as food security and sustainability.

GMO crops are good because they are designed to grow healthier crops to be better equipped to maintain higher yields despite adverse conditions like droughts, weeds and insects.

Eliminating damage from pests keeps corn plants and other crops healthier and stronger and better able to withstand stresses like dry soil, because roots are healthier and can absorb more available moisture.

Reducing pressure from weeds means nutrients and water are more available to the corn, and farmers have to plow their fields less (or not at all). This helps keep soil and nutrients in place, which is a plus for sustainability.

Crops that are genetically modified go through significant approval processes, including reviews by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – and to date there is not a single documented case of a food allergy or human health situation due to crop biotechnology.

GMOs are also tested for many years and are continually tested to ensure they are safe.

Much of the corn grown in the United States is genetically modified, however, there are non-GMO hybrids available.

While not all corn is GMO, even the hybrids that have not undergone genetic engineering were created through selective breeding for specific traits. Just as livestock producers have always aimed to grow bigger, stronger and healthier cattle, sheep and goats, the world’s corn farmers have been trying to raise the best corn possible for thousands of years. Genetic engineering is a modern scientific tool that has been used for generations through selective breeding of corn varieties.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been on the market for several decades The beginnings of GMO technology can be traced back to the early 1970s with the development of recombinant DNA techniques, which allowed scientists to edit and transfer genetic material between different organisms.

The first genetically modified food available for purchase was a tomato, which first hit the store shelves in 1994.

One of the benefits of genetically modified crops is their potential to lower the cost of food through their ability to increase yields. By introducing traits that enhance resistance to pests, diseases or environmental stressors, GMOs can help farmers protect their crops and achieve higher productivity with less loss. Increased yields mean more abundant harvests, which can lead to a greater supply of food in the market. With a larger supply, the price of agricultural commodities can decrease, making food more affordable for consumers.

Additionally, GMOs can reduce post-harvest losses by reducing waste and increasing overall efficiency in the food supply chain. These factors combined can contribute to lower production costs, which may be passed on to consumers in the form of lower food prices.

Innovating with Biotechnology in Farming

close up image of corn plantsGenetically engineered corn and other crops are helping feed the world while promoting sustainability. Innovations in biotechnology are aided by smart farming technology, delivering advanced solutions to modern farming needs. While there are many myths and misconceptions about biotechnology such as GMOs, the fact remains that these methods are a safe and effective way to drive sustainability and innovation. Today’s farmers are doing more with less and are continually looking for new ways to innovate with safety and sustainability always at the forefront.

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