A2 RW Ch8 L4 · GM Crops & Chapter 8 Review 📘

1One controversial (debatable) topic in the scientific community is about genetically modified (GM) crops. GM crops are plants that have genes changed by scientists using biotechnology in order to make them stronger. Scientists modify them by giving them new traits that the plants don’t naturally have. Some people argue that GM crops are the future of sustainable agriculture, whereas others believe they are unnatural and may not be safe.

2Scientists have engineered GM crops so they can survive high temperatures, drought, and disease. Some GM crops may even need less chemical pesticide than non-GM crops. In addition, GM crops do not use crop rotation; so, less land and soil need to be prepared. As a result, the fields do not release as much harmful gas, like carbon dioxide and methane. GM crops can also help farms become more sustainable because they can prevent crop failure. For example, a virus almost wiped out Hawaiian papayas in the 1990s until scientists created a GM papaya that was able to survive the disease. Today, the GM papaya is a successful crop in Hawaii thanks to biotechnology.

3Although some believe that GM crops are sustainable, others strongly disagree. They believe that GM crops may not be safe to eat. There hasn’t been much research on the effects of human’s eating genetically modified foods. One study found that GM food affected the bacteria in people’s stomachs. We do not know if there are any long-term negative effects of eating GM food. In addition, some people believe that genetically modified crops change the balance of nature. For example, GM crops may be harming bees, which are very important for pollinating plants to help them breed.

4In summary, there is a debate on whether genetically modified crops are environmentally sustainable. Scientists should continue researching in order to improve our understanding of the risks and benefits.

1One controversial (debatable) topic in the scientific community is about genetically modified (GM) crops. GM crops are plants that have genes changed by scientists using biotechnology in order to make them stronger. Scientists modify them by giving them new traits that the plants don’t naturally have. Some people argue that GM crops are the future of sustainable agriculture, whereas others believe they are unnatural and may not be safe.

2Scientists have engineered GM crops so they can survive high temperatures, drought, and disease. Some GM crops may even need less chemical pesticide than non-GM crops. In addition, GM crops do not use crop rotation; so, less land and soil need to be prepared. As a result, the fields do not release as much harmful gas, like carbon dioxide and methane. GM crops can also help farms become more sustainable because they can prevent crop failure. For example, a virus almost wiped out Hawaiian papayas in the 1990s until scientists created a GM papaya that was able to survive the disease. Today, the GM papaya is a successful crop in Hawaii thanks to biotechnology.

3Although some believe that GM crops are sustainable, others strongly disagree. They believe that GM crops may not be safe to eat. There hasn’t been much research on the effects of human’s eating genetically modified foods. One study found that GM food affected the bacteria in people’s stomachs. We do not know if there are any long-term negative effects of eating GM food. In addition, some people believe that genetically modified crops change the balance of nature. For example, GM crops may be harming bees, which are very important for pollinating plants to help them breed.

4In summary, there is a debate on whether genetically modified crops are environmentally sustainable. Scientists should continue researching in order to improve our understanding of the risks and benefits.