by Throughout this week of class I learned a lot of new information about genetically modified organisms. My knowledge prior to the readings and lectures was very minimal, so I quickly became interested in GMOs and all of their possibilities. Genetically modified foods, in particular, were my primary interest as I recognize their potential to impact the entire globe. When I think of modern agriculture and the problems it faces, climate change is my primary concern. Our globe has become increasingly affected by climate change and many of these changes have impacted agriculture throughout the world. I believe that GMFs are a necessary part of the future of agriculture, as the potential for growth and benefits are enormous.
Emma Marris is an author that focuses on environmentalism, and in April of this year she wrote an article called “GMOs Are an Ally in a Changing Climate” in WIRED magazine. Throughout the article Marris discusses the vast potential for GMOs and the various ways it would benefit agriculture across our planet. Climate change has impacted agriculture in many different ways in recent years. One of these ways is through unexpected droughts, something that California farmers have recently faced in places like the San Joaquin Valley. These sudden changes in irrigation supply have caused farmers to invest substantially in alternative forms of irrigation such as pipes, pumps, and more. Harris asks a farmer about the problem: “When I asked Cameron what new tools or technologies would help to cope with climate change, the very first thing he said was “drought resistance.” Through the use of GMFs Cameron and other farmers would be able to grow crops that need minimal or no irrigation, completely changing their spending strategy and outlook for their crops. They would be able to produce efficiently throughout the unpredictable occurrence of a drought, and guaranteed consistency is something that all farmers would be eager about. GMFs can benefit agriculture in other ways as well, such as when there is an excess of water.
Although climate change has led to droughts in regions of the world, it has also led to an excess of rainfall in many places. South Asia is one of these places, as the region has seen an increase in floods due in part to climate change. Rice is the staple crop of this region, and requires a bed of water to grow. Unfortunately, if the water levels are too high the crop will be ruined as it cannot survive submersion in water. The increase in floods has created a new issue for many rice farmers throughout the region, so in 2006 a plant geneticist named Pamela Ronald decided to help create a new type of rice that would be able to withstand submersion in water. Sub1 rice was created specifically to overcome this problem and be able to grow in submerged water. The crop was so successful that by 2017 it was being grown by over 6 million farmers across Bangladesh, Nepal, and India. Innovations like these have proven how GMFs can be integrated to benefit farmers who need help, as unexpected problems have arisen at higher rates in recent years due to climate change. Low-income farmers need assistance to overcome unexpected problems, and with the help of GMFs we can learn to sustain a growing population around the world despite growing climate issues.
In a world that is constantly changing we have to change as well, and that includes our agriculture. Humans’ actions have changed the climate in ways that are already irreversible, and if this trend continues we will need to fully understand how to adapt our crops. GMFs allow us to overcome boundaries that would normally limit our means of production, and to provide consistent revenue to workers who live day by day. These modified foods should continue to be studied and implemented in agricultural sectors throughout the world, as the potential for positive impact is outstanding.
Works Cited:
https://www.wired.com/story/future-food-will-need-gmo-organic-hybrid/