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Biotechnology Food
biotechnology uses what is known about plant science and genetics
to improve food and how it is produced. Genes are responsible for
traits like a person's eye color or a vegetable's taste. Using modern
biotechnology, scientists can move genes for valuable traits from
one plant into another plant making a plant taste or look better,
be more nutritious, protect itself from insects, or produce more
food. Food
biotechnology actually began around 8000 B.C. when man decided to
stop their wandering lifestyle and settled in one place to grow
crops. These first farmers saved seeds from the best plants to use
as seed for the next year's crop. In the years that followed, farmers
learned to cross breed or combine plants to create new varieties.
Although crossbreeding works, it takes a lot of time. It can take
as long as 10-12 years to first produce a plant with desired characteristics
and then to remove the undesirable traits through back-crossing.
With modern biotechnology, scientists can choose a specific trait
and move only the genes for that trait into another plant. Given
the recent and highly publicized media coverage related to food
biotechnology, there is much confusion and concern among consumers
about the safety of this technology. To learn more: Biotechnology:
Answers to Common Questions
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