Bacillus Thuringiensis – shortly known as BT has a miraculous power to produce ‘Cry-protein’, enough to kill pests. Through genetic engineering and technology it’s possible to insert them inside plant cells. Such cultivations in which B.T. genes have been entered changing its genetic properties are known as Genetic crops and food produced from them are known as Genetically Modified foods, Biotech foods or shortly GM foods.

America stands first

America stands first in GM crops and the list of 10 leading countries in the order include America, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India, China, Paraguay, South Africa, Uruguay and Australia.

Now G.M. crops are cultivated in 160 million hectare worldwide and 99% cultivation belong these four items – Soya bean – 47%, Maize – 32%, Cotton – 15% and Canola – 5%.

From mustard to cabbage – leading organizations

Now let me list important GM crops and organizations who are doing or experimenting it.

Mustard – Delhi University

Brinjal – Sungrow seeds, Mahi co, Bajo Sheethal Seeds

Cotton – Monsanto

Tomato – Cangene, Mahi Co

Rice – Mahi Co, Bear Bioscience

Cauliflower – Sungrow seeds, Num Hens India

Canola – Calgene

Maize – Monsanto, Pioneer Overseas

Okra – Mahi co

Groundnut – ICRISAT

Potato - Monsanto

Corn – Siba Gaygi

Soya bean - Monsanto

Cabbage – Num Hens

Expectations of GM

Now let me list important expectations and advantages of GM crops.

Solution to food famine

Disease resistant crops

Resists pests

Ripens soon

High productive power

Taste and quality increase

Increase in nutrition factors

Resists bad weather

More crop can be cultivated in less area

Saves natural resources - energy, water and space for cultivation

Less manual effort

Increase of medicinal values

Hidden worries behind GM crops

Every good side has a bad face too. Now let me list a few de-merits of this genetic cultivation.

Genetic pollution

Marketing and selling of genes, thus commercialization

Gives threat to other crops

Technology exclusively for leading countries to gain high profit

Traditional cultivation methods seize slowly

They can cause allergy to liver diseases as well as cancers

Pests that withstand GM crops are great threats to humans

Threats to insects

Destruction to natural soil and its factors

Great consequences to environment

Through this article I have given a brief description on GM foods, its merits and threatening calls. Hoping you enjoyed reading.

Article Posted By : Sandhya Rani  On March 03, 2013lView All Articles

Simply a housewife

Article Source :

http://www.veethi.com/articles/gm-crops-and-its-controversies-article-1673.htm

Keywords :
GM crops , controversies of GM crops , India and GM crops , leading countries in GM crops