*This page was produced as part of an assignment for an undergraduate course at Davidson College*

GM Crops: A Farmer's Dream?

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Conferring Resistance

Disease

Pest/Herbicide

Stress

Ramifications

Increased Profit Margin

Land Use

Monoculture

Poor Farmers vs.  Rich Farmers

Cultural Backlash

Conclusions

Works Cited

 

Disease Resistance

Perhaps one of the most promising fields of genetic research for the farmer has been regarding the possible genetic modification (GM) of crops for disease resistance.  One need look no further than the annals of history to observe the necessity of protecting the human food supply from the ravages of pestilence.  Events such as the Irish Potato Famine or the crop famines of the Bible were brought about by different strains of blight (bacteria, viruses, or fungi) (Africa News Service, 2003).  The damages from disease alone continue to be the bane of existence for many a farmer, accounting for nearly $90 billion in crop losses in the US per year (Africa News Service, 2003).  Blight drains the already faltering agriculture industry at the most crucial of levels, the livelihood of the rare American farmer.  This section will serve as your guide through the many areas and ways in which farmers and researchers alike are attempting to combat crop disease using genetic modification.

This is an image of stained bacteria colonies taken from a plant tissue sample. (Plant Pathology, 2003) *Permission Pending*

Genetic modification is currently being used to imbue crop species with increased disease resistant in two main ways:

Using Conventional Techniques

Using Biotechnology

 


Questions or comments can be directed to  matalbert@davidson.edu

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Page maintained by Matt Talbert, Nicole Hesson, and Sarah Parker

Last modified April 2004