Agricultural biotechnology

Agricultural biotechnology, often called agribiotech, is a scientific field used to modify living organisms. Scientists apply these tools to plants, animals, and microorganisms. This science involves complex techniques like genetic engineering, molecular diagnostics, and tissue culture. The primary goal is to introduce specific desired traits into different species. These traits can change the flavor, color, or growth rate of a crop. They can also make plants more resistant to pests and diseases. By modifying organisms, scientists aim to improve how we produce food and manage agriculture.

There are several different ways scientists modify crops. Traditional breeding involves crossbreeding two compatible species to create a new variety. For example, the Honeycrisp apple exists because of this method. In this process, pollen from one plant is placed on the female part of another. This creates a hybrid with genetic information from both parents. Another method is mutagenesis, which uses radioactivity or chemicals like ethyl methanesulfonate to induce random mutations. Scientists sometimes use "atomic gardens" with a radioactive core to create these mutations. This specific method was used to produce ruby red grapefruits.

Other advanced methods allow for even more precise changes. Polyploidy is a technique used to change the number of chromosomes in a crop. This can influence the size or fertility of the plant. Seedless watermelons are created by crossing a 4-set chromosome watermelon with a 2-set version. Protoplast fusion involves joining cell components to transfer traits between different species. This helped transfer male sterility from radishes to red cabbages. Scientists also use RNA interference, or RNAi, to suppress certain genes. This process turns down a cell's RNA-to-protein mechanism to stop protein synthesis.

Transgenics and genome editing represent highly targeted forms of modification. Transgenics involves inserting a piece of DNA from one organism into the DNA of another. This can be done using tools like gene guns, also known as biolistics. The rainbow papaya is a transgenic crop that resists the papaya ringspot virus. Genome editing is different because it uses an enzyme system to modify DNA directly within a cell. This method has been used to develop herbicide-resistant canola. These different technologies allow scientists to address many different agricultural challenges.

Historically, humans have used selective breeding for thousands of years to shape crops. However, the 20th century brought a massive surge in new technology. The first food product created through biotechnology was sold in 1990. By 2003, approximately 7 million farmers were using biotech crops. Interestingly, more than 85% of these farmers were located in developing countries. In India, the use of Bt cotton grew very quickly. In 2011, 10 million hectares of Bt cotton were planted in India. By 2014, farmers in India and China had planted more than 15 million hectares.

Biotechnology is also used to improve human health through nutrition. Genetic engineering can increase the concentration of vitamins in staple foods. Golden rice contains three genes that allow it to produce compounds converted to vitamin A. This helps fight vitamin A deficiency, a leading cause of blindness. The Banana 21 project also uses biotechnology to help people in Uganda. These bananas are modified to contain iron and vitamin A. Such projects use food as a vessel to solve micronutrient deficiencies in large populations.

Farmers also benefit from agronomic traits like insect resistance and herbicide tolerance. Many crops are engineered with proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. These proteins repel insects but are non-harmful to humans. Bt corn and Bt cotton are common examples of this technology. Herbicide tolerance allows crops to flourish even when chemical herbicides are sprayed to kill weeds. Scientists also work on disease resistance and temperature tolerance. For instance, tobacco plants have been modified with genes from Carica papaya to handle heat and cold.

Because these technologies are so powerful, they are strictly regulated. In the United States, three agencies manage agricultural biotechnology. The USDA approves the release of new GMOs. The EPA regulates the use of insecticides. Finally, the FDA evaluates whether a specific crop is safe for the market. Bringing a new organism to market is a very long and expensive process. On average, it takes nearly 13 years and $130 million in research and development. In the U.S., the regulatory process alone can take up to 8 years.