Responsible biotechnology is not an enemy. The starvation is without adequate food supplies at affordable prices, we cannot expect the world health or peace.
—Jimmy Carter, Former President of the United States Crop yield
Using the techniques of modern biotechnology increase in crop yield are the most obvious applications. Many of the genetic characteristics associated with yield (e.g., enhanced growth) are controlled by a large number of genes, each of the which has a minimal effect on the overall yield.
Resistance of crops due to environmental stresses
Crops containing genes that will enable them to withstand biotic and abiotic stresses may be developed. For an example, drought and excessively salty soil are two important limiting factors in crop productivity. Researchers have and also created transgenic rice plants that are resistant to rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV). In Africa, this virus destroys majority of the rice crops and makes the surviving plants more susceptible to fungal infections.
increased quality of nutrition
Proteins in foods may be modified to increase their nutritional qualities. Proteins in cereals and legumes may be transformed to provide the amino acids needed by human beings for a balanced diet. A good example is the work of Professors Ingo Potrykus and Peter Beyer on the so-called Golden rice .
Improved taste, texture or appearance of food
Modern biotechnology can be used to slow down the process of spoilage so that fruit can ripen longer on the plant and then be transported to the consumer with a still reasonable shelf life. This changes the taste, texture and appearance of a fruit. The first genetically made food product was a tomato which was transformed to delay its ripening. Biotechnology in cheese production: enzymes produced by micro-organisms provide an alternative to animal rennet - a cheese coagulant - and an alternative supply for cheese makers.
Reduced dependence on pesticides, and fertilizers and other agrochemicals
Most of the current commercial applications of modern biotechnology in agriculture are on reducing the dependence of farmers on agrochemicals. For example, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a soil bacterium that produces a protein with insecticidal qualities. Traditionally and fermentation process has been used to produce an insecticidal spray from these bacteria. Crops have also been genetically engineered to acquire tolerance to broad-spectrum herbicide.
Production of novel substances in the crop plants
Biotechnology is being applied for novel uses other than the food. For an example: oilseed can be modified to produce fatty acids for substitute fuels, detergents, and petrochemicals. Potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco, lettuce, safflowers, and other plants have been genetically-engineered to produce insulin and certain vaccines.
