Genetically Modified Crops and Future Agriculture
Contents: Foreword. Preface. Glossary of abbreviations and acronyms. 1. Introduction. 2. Status of agricultural biotechnology and food production in developing countries. 3. Biotechnology in Indian perspective. 4. GM crops: a global scenario. 5. Use of genetically modified crops in developing countries. 6. Biosafety concern and regulation of GM crops. 7. Risks associated with transgenic plants. 8. GM crops and their impact on biodiversity. 9. Some important suggestions. 10. References. Glossary. Concerned web addresses.
"The introduction of science -- based technology during the last 25 years has helped many developing counties in achieving a favourable relationship between population growth and food production. However, in the coming century, our society will face challenges of both increasing food production and improving its quality.
Although agricultural productivity and consequently, food availability in general are expected to increased through the direct use of bio-technology and genetic improvement in conjunction with the conventional methods of plant improvement, Genetically Modified (GM) crops may offer a potential avenue for meeting global food needs through increasing production levels and nutritional content of staple crops and reducing post harvest losses. Recently rapid advances in the development and commercialization of transgenic crops across the world have been witnessed both in terms increased crop coverage and economic benefits.
While there is no doubt that the development of GM crops may continue and they may have good impact on the future agriculture, we need to consider the apprehensions of the critics of GM technology about the health hazards and biosafety concerns arising out of the use of these gene combinations prior to their widespread use.
Keeping in view the importance of genetically modified crops vis a vis the views of the people opposing GM crops arguing that the issues of food insecurities are less important than using the GM crops which can generate long term, ethical concerns and environmental impacts including those of biodiversity of flora and fauna, the compilation of plus and minus aspect of genetically modified crops are openly discussed in this book. This debate will decide the future course of action as how to proceed further in this area of science for humanities with opting full precautions of unforeseen hazards.
The book will be of help to researcher in the field of agriculture, crop improvement, biotechnology etc. It will also be helpful to teachers and students for better understanding of the subject." (jacket)
