Do we really need Genetically Modified (GM) Crops or Conventional Breeding?

Both conventional and genetically modified plant breeding change the genes of a plant so that a new and better variety is developed.

Conventional plant breeding involves changing the genes of a plant so that a new and better variety is developed. New varieties of plants are bred to suit different climate conditions, improve taste or nutritional value, cope with disease or pests better, or to use water or nutrients more efficiently for example. To conventionally breed a new plant variety two closely related plants are ‘sexually crossed’. The aim is to combine the favorable traits from both parent plants and exclude their unwanted traits in a singular new and better plant variety.

Genetically modified foods are foods derived from genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques. These techniques are much more precise than mutagenesis (mutation breeding) where an organism is exposed to radiation or chemicals to create a non-specific but stable change. Other techniques by which humans modify food organisms include selective breeding; plant breeding, and animal breeding, and somaclonal variation. The key difference is that instead of randomly mixing genes, which occurs as a result of a sexual cross, a specific gene, which is associated with a desirable trait, is selected and inserted directly into the new plant variety. The evolution of plant breeding has been occurring for thousands of years and GM is the latest development. Our ancestors embraced new plant breeding techniques as they emerged and we are the benefactors with a large range of new and improved plant varieties now available to us. GM is one of a suite of breeding tools that future generations can use to help tackle environmental and human health challenges.

Why do we need to destroy GM crops...and why this fear that they will spread into environment..

Nature has all sort of plants..weeds, usefull crops, etc..that does not mean that there are only weeds everywhere or only crops everywhere..nature develops its own ways of control...when a species develops uncontrolled...its natural predators comes into play preventing its spread..so that fear is not right.

Second there is no reported health concerns till date due to GM foods...everyone is only afraid because its unknown thing now..But unless u science is all about experiements with unknown..Can u think of science's progress if we stop everything due to fear of unknown?

Yes, Genetically modified crops is really required and it is need of time. Currently India is facing shortage of grains production and we are importing the core food items. As there is uneven rainfall distribution among the country, drought is the result that reduces the crop production. Hence to deal with these productions genetically modified crops would be certainly useful. Genetically modified crops can yield more output compared with conventional breeding and also can survive drought conditions to some extend. Hence more steps should be taken so that more research is undertaken for genetically modified crops and should be taken in by farmers.

We, the population of world, have grown beyond proportions.  Our Eco System is tremendously disturbed due to industrialization and automation.  We have denuded forests, polluted perennial rivers, converted fertile soil into wastelands by burying non-bio-degradable substances, polluted air, and what not.  We live in the era of artificial creation.  We have disturbed ecological balance, and we complain, day in and day out, about the drought, flood, etc.  How do we feed over   a6 billion people on earth.  Obviously, we have to go in for Genetically Modified produces.  In the name of quality, we are undermining nutrients that nature offers, in order to cater to the great mass.  We have no escape but to re-invent our methods to maintain our balance, hitherto the Mother Earth endowed us!

Have you heard about a sort of throny bushes [Karuvelamaram in Tamil] which is not a native plant of India and it has spread all over India and it sucked all the gound water.  But the village farmers cut it and used that for preparing charcoal. Farmers are unware of the potential danger these plant possess.  

Thinking on the same line, there GM crops {rice} which is rich in nuticients, flood/drought resistant, and rich in aroma. The cost wise is relarively cheaper or comparable. This will help feeding millions of mouth during drought.  There has been no tested truth that it is harmfull for human consumption. But one thing its adoptability to tropical weather condition, says agriculturalist, is poor. However this curdle will soon be over come. Then this GM crop will definetly be a boom.

GM foods will help to eradicate poverty. This will help to feed millions of people in future. But modification should be adopted in such a manner it withstand the local climate, withstand and preserve the original taste and bud.  There should not be any commercial interest.  But GM food must be made adoptable to local peasants.

considering sudden rise in population all over the world,it becomes a necessity to produce GM crops in high quantity with good quality.