Genetically modified crops (GMCs, GM crops, or biotech crops) are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of the plant has been modified using genetic engineering techniques. In almost every case the aim is to introduce a new trait into the plant that doesn't occur naturally in the species. Pest and disease effect every crop and can destroyed the soil and plant.
Over 25% of crops are lost by pest and diseases world wide each year. Genetically modifying crops happens to most crops that are known to get disease easier then other crops. |
Cotton and Maize have been genetically modified so they are toxic to certain insects. These crops/plants are often called Bt crops because the introduced genes had been identified in a bacterial species called Bacillus thunringiensis.
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Wheat rust is an infectious fungal disease that affects crops. It can cause crops lose up to 100%. So making a GMC that can withstand rust would be very helpful. They have been working on GM wheat but they still have not managed to completely make a crops that can withstand it but they are very close to GM wheat so it won't be affected.
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