Genetically Engineered Crops

Genetically Engineered Crops PDF

Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2017-01-28

Total Pages: 607

ISBN-13: 0309437385

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Genetically engineered (GE) crops were first introduced commercially in the 1990s. After two decades of production, some groups and individuals remain critical of the technology based on their concerns about possible adverse effects on human health, the environment, and ethical considerations. At the same time, others are concerned that the technology is not reaching its potential to improve human health and the environment because of stringent regulations and reduced public funding to develop products offering more benefits to society. While the debate about these and other questions related to the genetic engineering techniques of the first 20 years goes on, emerging genetic-engineering technologies are adding new complexities to the conversation. Genetically Engineered Crops builds on previous related Academies reports published between 1987 and 2010 by undertaking a retrospective examination of the purported positive and adverse effects of GE crops and to anticipate what emerging genetic-engineering technologies hold for the future. This report indicates where there are uncertainties about the economic, agronomic, health, safety, or other impacts of GE crops and food, and makes recommendations to fill gaps in safety assessments, increase regulatory clarity, and improve innovations in and access to GE technology.

Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods

Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2004-07-08

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 0309166152

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Assists policymakers in evaluating the appropriate scientific methods for detecting unintended changes in food and assessing the potential for adverse health effects from genetically modified products. In this book, the committee recommended that greater scrutiny should be given to foods containing new compounds or unusual amounts of naturally occurring substances, regardless of the method used to create them. The book offers a framework to guide federal agencies in selecting the route of safety assessment. It identifies and recommends several pre- and post-market approaches to guide the assessment of unintended compositional changes that could result from genetically modified foods and research avenues to fill the knowledge gaps.

Environmental Impact of Genetically Modified Crops

Environmental Impact of Genetically Modified Crops PDF

Author: Natalie Ferry

Publisher: CABI

Published: 2009-01-01

Total Pages: 442

ISBN-13: 184593430X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The genetic modification of crops continues to be the subject of intense debate, and opinions are often strongly polarised. Environmental Impact of Genetically Modified Crops addresses the major concerns of scientists, policy makers, environmental lobby groups and the general public regarding this controversial issue, from an editorially neutral standpoint. While the main focus is on environmental impact, food safety issues, for both humans and animals are also considered. The book concludes with a discussion on the future of agricultural biotechnology in the context of sustainability, natural resource management and future global population and food supply.

Genetically Modified Planet

Genetically Modified Planet PDF

Author: C. Neal Stewart Jr.

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2004-08-19

Total Pages: 251

ISBN-13: 0198035799

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Genetically modified plants are currently causing controversy worldwide; a great deal has been written about their supposed environmental effects. However, the newspaper headlines and public debates often provide a level of reasoning akin to "this is your brain on genetically modified corn," which is to say, they exclude or exaggerate the actual scientific research on the impacts of these plants. Genetically Modified Planet goes beyond the rhetoric to investigate for concerned consumers the actual state of scientific research on genetically modified plants. Stewart argues that while there are indeed real and potential risks of growing engineered crops, there are also real and overwhelmingly positive environmental benefits.

Genes in the Field

Genes in the Field PDF

Author: International Plant Genetic Resources Institute

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Genes in the Field: Conserving Plant Diversity on Farms is a comprehensive collection of papers focusing on agricultural conservation and diversity issues throughout the world. Recently, regional and local farm seed variety has been reduced because of increased population, agricultural science and technology and the integration of the world's many diverse cultures. Because of this, diversity on individual farms across wide regions is threatened by modern crop varieties that have been bred for broad adaptation, resistance to disease, and other risk factors such as their ability to better use water, fertilizer, and higher yields. The concern of the farmers to maintain production levels and income often seems incompatible with those whose focus is on the maintenance of viable and sustainable ecosystems and maintaining genetic diversity. Exploring and understanding these different concerns is an essential starting point for answering some of the key questions about the implementation of "on farm" conservation and the role of local cultivators in sustainable development.

Genetically Modified Pest-Protected Plants

Genetically Modified Pest-Protected Plants PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2000-08-23

Total Pages: 289

ISBN-13: 0309172128

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This book explores the risks and benefits of crops that are genetically modified for pest resistance, the urgency of establishing an appropriate regulatory framework for these products, and the importance of public understanding of the issues. The committee critically reviews federal policies toward transgenic products, the 1986 coordinated framework among the key federal agencies in the field, and rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency for regulation of plant pesticides. This book provides detailed analyses of: Mechanisms and results of genetic engineering compared to conventional breeding for pest resistance. Review of scientific issues associated with transgenic pest-protected plants, such as allergenicity, impact on nontarget plants, evolution of the pest species, and other concerns. Overview of regulatory framework and its use of scientific information with suggestions for improvements.

Genes, Crops and the Environment

Genes, Crops and the Environment PDF

Author: John H. W. Holden

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1993-06-03

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 9780521437370

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The productivity of agricultural systems is the result of human alteration of originally wild organisms over millennia. The availability of germplasm, particularly from wild relatives of crop plants, is vitally important in the development of new and improved crops for both agriculture and horticulture. The handling of these genetic resources for both immediate and future human benefits has resulted in the decades of interdisciplinary scientific research described in this book. The applications of this work and the associated operational programmes in all parts of the world are discussed in the light of their impact on the conservation of biodiversity, ecosystem rehabilitation and the future health of our planet.

Environmental Effects of Transgenic Plants

Environmental Effects of Transgenic Plants PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2002-02-22

Total Pages: 342

ISBN-13: 0309170176

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Transgenic crops offer the promise of increased agricultural productivity and better quality foods. But they also raise the specter of harmful environmental effects. In this new book, a panel of experts examines: • Similarities and differences between crops developed by conventional and transgenic methods • Potential for commercialized transgenic crops to change both agricultural and nonagricultural landscapes • How well the U.S. government is regulating transgenic crops to avoid any negative effects. Environmental Effects of Transgenic Plants provides a wealth of information about transgenic processes, previous experience with the introduction of novel crops, principles of risk assessment and management, the science behind current regulatory schemes, issues in monitoring transgenic products already on the market, and more. The book discusses public involvementâ€"and public confidenceâ€"in biotechnology regulation. And it looks to the future, exploring the potential of genetic engineering and the prospects for environmental effects.

Genes for Africa

Genes for Africa PDF

Author: Jennifer A. Thomson

Publisher: Juta and Company Ltd

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 210

ISBN-13: 9781919713571

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Jennifer Thomson separates fact from fiction and explains why and how GM crops can help us combat poverty, starvation and disease in the developing world, in a safe and responsible way. She explains the technology and looks at the differences and similarities between genetic modification, conventional plant breeding, and natural processes such as cross pollination and mutations. There are chapters devoted to controversial issues such as food safety (for GM crops and organically grown food), patents labelling, regulations and controls, and a section dealing with frequently-asked questions. It ends with a focus on Africa and possible future developments in GM technology. Technical terms are explained and appendices provide additional information on testing for allergens, horizontal gene transfer, and international food safety assessment documents. For those who wish to explore the subject further, it also provides a list of more than 60 web sites dealing with issues related to the GM debate.

Genetically Modified Crops in Agriculture

Genetically Modified Crops in Agriculture PDF

Author: Danny Watson

Publisher: Scientific e-Resources

Published: 2019-11-06

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 1839471905

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Genetically modified crops are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified using genetic engineering methods. In most cases, the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species. Examples in food crops include resistance to certain pests, diseases, or environmental conditions, reduction of spoilage, or resistance to chemical treatments, or improving the nutrient profile of the crop. Recently rapid advances in the development and commercialization of transgenic crops across the world have been witnessed both in terms increased crop coverage and economic benefits. Genetically modified foods are foods derived from genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques. The main aim of genetically modified crops is to produce a food that is able to survive even if any harmful chemicals or pesticides or herbicides are sprayed. Other benefit of genetically modified crops is to make food stay fresh for a long time. Some of genetically modified crops and food are corn, tomato, beets, potatoes, sprouts and alfalfa. It involves the insertion or deletion of genes. Examples in non-food crops include production of pharmaceutical agents, biofuels, and other industrially useful goods, as well as for bioremediation. This book covers those facets, from the source of the gene, compositions of a gene construct, method of gene delivery, and result of gene integration and expression, to effects of the transgene on plants and the ecology.