ARE TRADITIONAL CORN VARIETIES IN MEXICO THREATENED BY TRANSGENIC CORN CROPS?
The people of Oaxaca, Mexico have been cultivating corn for nearly 10,000 years. During that time, corn varieties have developed through traditional breeding methods to both enhance nutrition and provide insurance against an unpredictable environment. The success of these varieties has established corn as the centerpiece of the Mexican landscape, diet, and culture. Many of the corn varieties we use today can be traced back to this region. In recent decades, recombinant DNA technologies have facilitated a radical transformation of the way corn is bred and cultivated. These changes may lead to a profound impact on the way of life in Oaxaca. Biotechnologists can use numerous methods to insert designer genes from a variety of organisms into plant genomes. A transgenic or genetically modified (GM) plant produced this way may have genes added to improve flavour or nutrition, but most transgenes are designed to improve resistance to insects or herbicides. Arguably, genetically modified crops
Related Questions
- Im concerned by the reports of transgenic DNA found in Mexican corn landraces. Isn this evidence that transgenic crops will cause environmental damage by reducing genetic diversity?
- ARE TRADITIONAL CORN VARIETIES IN MEXICO THREATENED BY TRANSGENIC CORN CROPS?
- Is IMPACT herbicide registered for use on transgenic corn hybrids?
