In a report on the Global Status of Commercialized Biotech Crops, findings showed that private biotechnology corporations have produced and sold the majority of transgenic seed currently in use. In particular, the report highlighted the rapid increase in transgenic crop use indicating that in recent decades, the global area of transgenic crops exceeded 1 million hectares in , increasing to over 40 million hectares over the following four years, and reaching 90 million hectares by Such widespread use demonstrates the involvement of companies and the rapid implementation of biotechnological progress.
In a comprehensive review published in , Robert Herdt summarizes the commercial applications of agricultural biotechnology, the state of research, and the economic and environmental impacts of applications to date.
He first presents the 6 practices most commonly used in modern biotechnology revolving specifically around genetic engineering. Although these methods are primarily used in plant research, animal biotechnology was discussed in another study by Faber and colleagues. The study discussed how the field of animal biotech has separated into two factions; the production of animals for meat or milk and the creation of animals that produce biomedically useful proteins in their blood or milk.
Although techniques such as artificial insemination long predate the discovery of DNA and even the technology of embryo transfer was developed a century ago, these methods are continuously refined, aiming to use genetic engineer for commercial usage in animal breeding. In a study considering biotechnological innovations in food science, Bangladeshi scientists presented the methods and successes of modern food biotechnology in agriculture and the ethical principles of the food industry.
The report discussed how, to date, genetically modified food is limited by a longstanding ethical debate fuelled by uncertainty. On one hand, companies are purchasing and selling food without fulfilling the labeling requirements of genetically modified byproducts, going against consumer autonomy.
This is one of the 4 ethical pillars established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, giving consumers the right to know what they are purchasing and what it contains. Companies also need to ensure that the other 3 principles, including justice distribution of benefits and resources equitably , non-maleficence obligation against harming others , and beneficence balancing risks and benefits in production and consumption , to which many companies remain of limited contribution.
The review by Robert Herdt concludes by discussing the key consequences of genetic modifications for farmers and the public that may hinder the production, consumption, and development of such biotechnology into the future. These limitations include widespread commercial applications of agricultural biotechnology in a limited number of countries, a large private-sector investment in biotechnology research, continuing controversy over its environmental impacts, a proliferation of regulations, a wide range of changing public reaction, and relatively little contribution of the technology to increasing food production incomes in less-developed countries.
Despite such drawbacks, international consortiums are gradually implementing effective strategies to developing genetically modified crops, slowly integrating biotechnological approaches into current agricultural practices. Ultimately, the contribution of biotechnology in agriculture remains to improve the livelihood of populations by helping to address emerging issues and aiming to maintain adequate food security.
James completed his bachelor in Science studying Zoology at the University of Manchester, with his undergraduate work culminating in the study of the physiological impacts of ocean warming and hypoxia on catsharks.
He then pursued a Masters in Research MRes in Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth focusing on the urbanization of coastlines and its consequences for biodiversity. Ducker, James. Importance of Biotechnology in Agriculture. We speak to Professor Bart Hoogenboom and Georgina Benn about current research using technology to create the sharpest images of living bacteria ever recorded.
AZoLifeSciences interviews Dr. Chiara De Gregorio about searching for musical rhythms in primates and finding their answer in the Madagascan rainforest. In this interview, we speak to Roy Smythe, CEO of SomaLogic, about their groundbreaking proteomics technology that can simultaneously measure 7, proteins. Arguably the use of biotechnology in agriculture is deemed to be more effective than that of agrochemical.
The latter is believed to be responsible for causing environmental distress and is also somewhat unfeasible for farmers.
The following highlight the few ways in which biotechnology has found its way in agriculture —. Tissue culture. Embryo rescue. Somatic hybridisation. Molecular-gene markers. Molecular diagnostics. Test Your Knowledge: Find out why toxin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis is not toxic to itself. The role of biotechnology in agriculture is multifaceted. Some of the most prevalent benefits of biotechnology in agriculture include —. Increase in Crop Production.
A number of things could help countries increase output including seed technology. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, August 5, Skip to main content. Share Print.
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