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Paradigm on Genetically Modified Foods

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, Krishna University, Machilipatnam, Krishna District, A.P. INDIA
  • 2Vimpta Labs, Cherlapally division, Hyderabad, A.P. INDIA

Res. J. Recent Sci., Volume 3, Issue (ISC-2013), Pages 98-109, (2014)

Abstract

GM foods (genetically modified foods) are produced by incorporating the desired gene into the genome of the host plant, there by introducing desirable changes in the host using techniques of genetic Engineering. Genetic Engineering is more advantageous compared to selective breeding in bringing about desirable changes in a much faster way. The world population is expected to reach 9 billion people by the year2050, requiring 70% more food than what is produced at present. Food security is needed for growing population which cannot be met by conventional breeding methods because of limited land resources and other environmental conditions. Since GM foods offer superior qualities, give higher yield and can be grown in a wide variety of environmental conditions compared to conventionally grown foods, they are the only way to meet the required food demand. Till now only a small percentage of total agricultural land was being used for the cultivation of GM crops. This is the situation all around the world which should be changed. So the government should take necessary measures to educate the farmers regarding the beneficial characters of GM crops and encourage them to cultivate the same. People around the globe are having many doubts and myths regarding the safety of GM foods. This could be due to lack of proper awareness regarding GM foods and added to this many companies are misleading the public by printing false and misleading labels on their products like - ‘GM free foods’, ‘Safe and GM free’ etc. In this context, the current study is undertaken to know the awareness, acceptability and myths’ regarding GM foods among Educated and Uneducated communities through a questionnaire supplied to them. The statistical significance of the data obtained was tested by using Fisher-exact test.

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