Question

Which of these risks might prevent an agricultural biotechnology company from using genetic material from peanuts to modify other plant varieties?
A.

the risk of transferring allergens to the modified plants


B.

the risk of destroying organic varieties of the modified plants


C.

the risk of harming rare birds that feed on the modified plants


D.

the risk of the genes entering animals that feed on the modified plants


E.

the risk of the genes causing cancer in people who eat the plants

Answer 1

Answer:

B. the risk of destroying organic varieties of the modified plants

Explanation:

Using genetic material from peanuts to modify other varieties of peanut plants can be a very beneficial attitude, as it can bring favorable characteristics to some peanut plants that will facilitate their cultivation, maintenance and increase their productivity. For example, they can be inoculated into modified genes that promote resistance to drought, or to attack by pests.

However, this biotechnological process has negative points, one of which is that the production of modified plants can decrease or even end organic varieties of these plants. This can occur when the pollen from modified plants invades an area of organic plants and fertilises these plants. The generation resulting from this pollination may contain the modified gene, ending the existence of the organic variety.

Answer 2

No. Biotechnology is a refinement of breeding techniques that have been used to improve plants for thousands of years. The 20th century, in particular, saw the development and application of many new techniques to transfer genes between related and even unrelated species for crop improvement. Biotechnology is the latest in a long line of increasingly powerful tools for enhancing crops.