(FT) Technological Role in Expanding Food Supply Lesson

Technological Role in Expanding Food Supply

Genetic Engineering or Genetic Modification is the process of changing genetic makeup of an organism by manually adding or removing parts of its DNA. It produces an organism that has a new trait it would most likely not have developed on its own.

For thousands of years, human beings have modified nature's organisms for usage in agriculture. New technology has furthered this trend: recombinant DNA technology allows biotechnology firms to insert DNAs into plant genomes, thereby creating plants that express the desired traits. Use of such genetically modified organisms has prompted controversy, especially for its role in ensuring food security.

Arguments for GMOs GMOs increase crop yields and promote efficient land use. GMOs reduce the use of synthetic chemical pesticides that are harmful to the environment. Arguments Against GMOs GM technology remains underdeveloped and unsuited for the regions that need them the most. Consumption of GMOs may have yet unknown effects on human health. The long-term ecological impacts of GMO crops are yet uncertain. GMOs currently lack sufficient oversight.

Currently, there are crops in development that are genetically modified to grow in habitats besides their native ones, to increase yield productivity to feed more people. Examples of this include wheat, rice and other grains. Fish, poultry and beef are also often modified to increase the quantity of meat by quickening the rates of growth of an animal or by adding proteins or other nutrients to the meat.

Examples:

Beetle Resistant Potatoes

The NewLeaf potato used naturally occurring bacteria found in the soil know as Bacillus Thuringiensis to provide in-plant protection from the yield robbing Colorado potato beetle.

Chickens with no feathers

Scientists engineered chickens to be featherless by removing the gene in chicken DNA that causes them to grow feathers.

Tomatoes that make antifreeze

Placing the anti-freeze gene from a fish in tomatoes so the tomatoes can still grow in cold weather.

Pros

Cons

Improve organisms

Costly

Can create organisms with traits not previously thought possible

Must be performed in a lab with special equipment

Can remove bad genes

Moral and ethical issues

Reduces the chance of getting 'undesirable' organisms

Long term negative affects

 

Negative environmental impacts

 

Superweeds

 

Interbreed with natural organisms

 

Unknowns

Cloning is the process of creating a genetically identical copy of an organism by asexual reproduction.  It can be natural or artificial.

Examples of Natural Cloning

Asexual Reproduction in Bacteria

Some plants and single-celled organisms, such as bacteria, produce genetically identical offspring through a process called asexual reproduction.

Identical Twins

Identical twins are the result of a single fertilized egg splitting into two separate embryos. Since identical twins come from the same fertilized egg, they have the exact same DNA. They are always of the same sex and they have the same blood type.

Artificial Cloning is the process that involves removing the DNA from one organism and putting it into an empty egg of another organism and then implanting it into a third organism. The clone will be identical to the first organism that donated the DNA. On July 5, 1996, Dolly (a female domestic sheep) became the first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell, using the process of nuclear transfer.

Pros Organ replacement Ensure certain traits Genetic Reproduce only the best plants and animals Cons Many unknowns Decreases genetic diversity Cost Moral and ethical Issues

Advances in technology and communications are increasing our awareness of the food industry and the ways we find, eat and dispose of our food. Some other ways technology is changing our food are as follows:

Precision Agriculture

This is often called satellite farming and refers to the use of GPS tracking systems and satellite imagery to monitor crop yield, soil levels and weather patterns to increase the efficiency on the farm.

Drones

Drones are becoming a popular alternative to extra farm hands or satellites, and advanced technology is making the drones more productive. With drones, farmers can locate precisely where a diseased or damaged plant is, more accurately release fertilizer and pesticides, or take photos and have immediate information about a certain area of the farm.

Sensors

Sensors in grain bins allow farmers to monitor the temperature and moisture levels remotely. John Deere added sensors to some of its equipment to monitor soil moisture or productivity to increase or decrease speed or prevent overlap of fertilizer or seed.

Food Waste Tracking

40% of American food is thrown away each year. With the help of social media, new technology and apps, this number can be reduced. There are numerous apps that help restaurants minimize waste by allowing people to get deals on leftover food.

3D Printing

3D printed food is meant to take out the time-consuming process of making things by hand.

Farm Locations

As farmland becomes less available, we must come up with innovative places to grow food. The latest trend is underground; in London, a hydroponic farm was built in abandoned underground tunnels that were once air-raid shelters, so that local restaurants and stores can have fresh produce and herbs.

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