Biotechnology is a modern issue in the agriculture industry. For those of you who may not know, biotechnology is the genetic engineering of living organisms or their components to produce useful, usually commercial products. An example of modern biotechnology is genetic engineering.

            Genetic engineering is the process of transferring individual genes between organisms or modifying the genes in an organism to remove or add a desired trait or characteristic. Genetically Modified (GM) crops or Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) such as BT corn are formed during genetic engineering. Biotechnology can assist farmers in improving yield and profit by reducing the use of costly inputs, improving weed management, reducing tillage for better soil, and improving water and air quality.

            Modern biotechnology can be beneficial in many ways. Farmers use agricultural biotechnology to increase crop yields, prevent damage from pests, and reduce farming’s impact on the environment. Biotechnology is also used to diminish our footprint on the environment, feed the hungry, provide breakthroughs to combat disease, and make convenient products. Biotechnology can unquestionably be a prodigious factor for our world.        

            Everyday researchers explore new benefits of biotechnology. Healthcare researchers are using biotechnology to discover a cure for cancer. Scientists are in the process of developing salt-tolerant and drought resistant crops.

            Our global population is estimated to reach 9.4 billion by the year 2050, which means global food production must increase 70 percent by that year in order to meet our needs. With agricultural biotechnology we may possibly meet those needs. Biotechnology has a great outlook for the future and advancements in biotechnology could improve our world.



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