GM Crops

GM crops are crops that have had their DNA altered to give it new characteristics e.g. being able to withstand drought. In 2015 GM crops were being grown in 28 countries on 179.7 million hectares - over 10% of the worlds arable land.Advantages: GM crops require less chemicals to thrive so are better for the environment Sustainable - provides stable and efficient way to sustain enough crops to feed the growing population Crops are resistant to disease/extreme weather Insect/pest resistant e.g. cotton in China was modified to be poisonous to the cotton bollworm Longer shelf life Can help to reduce food insecurity Increased flavour and nutrition More crops can be yielded so prices can be lower Disadvantages: Cross contamination - the pollen is contaminated and may cross pollinate which could develop superweeds with high resistance May lead to lower levels of biodiversity - eliminating pests may remove a food source for some animals Monsanto modified crops to withstand herbicide sprays some of which cause cancer May not be completely safe to eat Monsanto used their political pull and financial backing to take independent farmers to court for using their own seeds leading to 250,000 farmer suicides GM crops reduce the number of people employed in agriculture which damages economies of LEDCs that are dependent on farming for income