WhAt is GM FooD??

What is GM food?
GM food is produced from plants or animals which have had their genes changed in the laboratory by scientists.

The principles for the production GM foods :
1. Pest resistance
Crop losses from insect pests can be staggering resulting in devastating financial loss for farmers and starvation in developing countries. Many people want farmers to use fewer chemical. Thus GM Technology is aimed at achieving fewer pesticides used, energy savings, & increased yields.

2. Herbicide Tolerance
GM crops are more resistant to herbicide.

3. Disease Resistance
There are many viruses, fungi and bacteria that cause plant diseases. GM crops and plants that are genetically-engineered tend to be more resistance to these diseases.

4. Cold Tolerance
Unexpected frost can destroy sensitive seedlings. Thus antifreeze gene in crops can prevent that and survive through unfavourable condition.

5. Drought Tolerance
Creating plants that can withstand long periods of drought will help people to grow crops in formerly in hospitable places.

6. Salinity Tolerance
About one- third of the world’s irrigated land is unsuitable for growing crops because of contamination with high levels of salt. Most trees and crop plants are highly sensitive to salty conditions. Creating plants that can withstand long period of high salt content in soil and groundwater will help people to grow crops in formerly in hospitable places.

7. Nutrition
Malnutrition is common in third world countries where impoverished peoples rely on a single crop such as rice for the main staple of their diet. If rice could be genetically engineered to contain additional vitamins and minerals, nutrient deficiencies could be alleviated.