Question

Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of production of GM crops. [3]

Answer 1

Advantages of GM crops:
(i) Make crops more tolerant to abiotic stresses (cold, drought, salt, heat) and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides (pest-resistant crops)
(ii) Increase efficiency of mineral usage by plants (this prevents early exhaustion of fertility of soil)
(iii) Helps reduce post harvest losses and enhance nutritional value of food, e.g., Vitamin ‘A’ enriched rice. [1.5]

Disadvantages of GM crops:
(i) Genetic modification of crops can have unpredicatable results when such crops are introduced into the ecosystem
(ii) The safety and biological significance of the GM crops is not guaranteed if not tested properly
(iii) Ethical standards and the morality of human activities might be harmed in generating GM crops. [1.5]