Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is any organism whose genetic material has been altered by using genetic engineering techniques; GMO is used to produce many medications and genetically modified foods and is widely used in scientific research and production of other goods (Noel, 2009).
http://www.cicr.org.in/pdf/transgenic_bt_cotton
This article describes how cotton has been improved through GMO; the project started in India in which is a major cotton producing country. Cotton happens to be the first crop to receive environment clearance as GMO in India agriculture and thus why it received maximum attention from farmers, scientists, planners, and the general public. Insect pests attack cotton in different stages and this has been a constraint to the production of the crop and that why a GMO had to be done to increase production and the Bt Cotton genetically engineering which is a pest and insect resistant crop. I chose this article because it describes how Bt Cotton which is a product of GMO has helped farmers increase their production and also the article explains how the importance of the GMO.
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One advantage of GMO is that it helps in the production of more nutritious foods. With GMO crops there is more production compared to when the crop is not a GMO modified. GMO is also advantageous as it helps in creating plants which are resistant to weeds, pest, and other diseases; bigger yields are expected with GMO which creates efficient use of land, less use of herbicides and other pesticides (Barwale, 2001). GMO modified crops are also able to tolerate heat, cold, and drought. GMO has some disadvantage such as food allergies some foods produced through GMO plants have allergy effects on humans especially children. GMO modified plants can produce substances which are toxic to human thus affect the health of human beings. GMO plants can also develop resistance ability to antibiotics. Other sources support the production of GMO cotton as they term it as of advantage to the farmers due to its ability to increase the yields and also resist pest and insects.
Reference
Barwale, K. (2001). Seed Industry and Cotton Production. Silver Jubilee Lecture Series. Indian Society for Cotton Improvement.
http://www.cicr.org.in/pdf/transgenic_bt_cotton
Noel Kingsbury. (2009). Hybrid: The History and Science of Plant Breeding . University of Chicago Press.
