Big Changes in Crop Genetics are Here

To passersby, the crops in today’s fields look the same as ordinary crops. To farmers they are significantly different in the way they tolerate herbicides and resist disease. Herbicide tolerance means that farmers can use one herbicide instead of several to control essentially all weeds.

Disease tolerance means that plants are resistant to problems that previously required control measures. Corn borer is an example. Corn borer is an insect that eats corn plants and destroys the stalks. Scientists discovered that some plants have natural resistance to corn borer. They were able to identify the genes that cause that resistance and splice them into all seeds. The result is that no insecticide is needed to control corn borers.

The next time that you hear people talking about genetically modified crops, remember the corn borer. Some people are concerned about unknown, negative effects from genetic modification. While we need to be vigilant, most of the results of genetic modification produce a better food supply and a safer environment.

Bob Hunsberger, Breslau farmer