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Pesticide presence and risk in the environment - Benefits of biotechnology

Modern high-yield agricultural production has a significant influence on the environmental conditions, by use of various chemicals like pesticides and artificial fertilizers. Foods become contaminated with persistent pesticides, therefore the presence of harmful substances in food via raw materials, water, packing or air must be at a bare minimum in technological processes. The constant ingestion of small quantities of such substances can potentially produce harmful side effects comparable to acute poisoning. The continous exposure to minimal levels of pesticides is sufficient to cause deleterious effects in the general population. These low levels of pesticides in food may affect the subtile biochemical processes and structural lessions in organism like disturbances of immuno-system, reproductive system or genetic system. Author imply on the disturbances caused by pesticides on the reproductive processes, especially the possible negative effects of atrazine, from s-triazine herbicide group, even declared and recommended as a low toxic substance. Current genetic modifications made by scientists are almost the same what nature has been doing unaided since life began. The use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in food may offer benefits in agricultural practices. The advent of genetic modification has enabled plant breeders to develop new varieties of crops with a wide range of characteristics. Based on major outcomes of the traits under modification, biotech plant products fall into two major categories: those with improved agronomic traits (crops with herbicide-tolerence, insect-protected plants and crops with stacking genes) and those with altered quality traits (oil, protein or carbohydrate modification). Growing plants rDNA-engineered for pest resistance can reduce the need for chemical pesticides, thereby offering safer environmental strategies for pest and disease control. Recombinant DNA technology has great promise to increase food production and improve the characteristics of plants in ways that will benefit farmers, consumers and the environment. The safety of food derived from GMOs is adequately assured by the science-based procedures. Social and economic consequences of the application of rDNA technology raise issues that warrant public debate by all stakeholders. The rapid progress of modern biotechnology poses many challenges to public policy - in consumer education, health care, research, permanent quality control, public opinion, intellectual property and industry.

pesticides; atrazine; environment; reproductive toxicity; rDNA technology; GMOs; benefits

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