In addition, ingredients in organic fertilizers are naturally biodegradable.Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
Between 1996 and 2015, the total surface area of land cultivated with GM
(genetically modified) crops increased by a factor of 100, from 4.2 million acres
(17,000 km^2 ) to 444 million acres (1,797,000 km^2 ). In the United States, about
94% of soybeans, about 96% of cotton, and about 93% of corn are genetically
modified varieties. The use of genetically modified crops has also expanded
rapidly in developing countries, with about 18 million farmers growing 54% of
worldwide GM crops.
A recent study concluded that genetically modified crops have reduced
chemical pesticide worldwide use by 37%, increased crop yields by 22%, and
increased farmer profits by 68%. This reduction in pesticide use has been
ecologically beneficial, but benefits may be far outweighed by concerns over the
unknown, long-term, and unforeseen consequences of GM crops.
Other examples of present and future GM agricultural technology include:
■ Extending the shelf life of perishable fruits and vegetables
■ Rice with increased iron and vitamins that can alleviate chronic
malnutrition (known as “golden rice”)
■ Varieties of crops that can withstand extreme weather conditions
■ Salmon that are able to grow twice as fast as natural salmon
■ Cows that produce 25% less methane (a greenhouse gas)
■ Mosquitoes that are incapable of passing malaria or the Zika virus to
humans
■ Pigs inserted with a spinach gene that converts the pig’s unhealthy
saturated fat into unsaturated fat (linoleic acid)
Genetically Engineered Crops
Pros Cons
May require less
water and fertilizer.Unknown ecological effects.Higher crop yields. Less biodiversity due to less genetic variation,
making genetically engineered crops more
susceptible to new disease and pest outbreaks
and/or severe environmental change.