Question

7. GM crops have been broadly deployed in North American agriculture for roughly 20 years.

   1. a) Explain how the deployment of GM Bt crops may have helped to reduce toxic water pollution associated with agriculture. [2 Marks]

   2. b) Explain how the deployment of GM crops has permitted farmers in North America to adopt techniques that are less harmful to arable soils. [2 Marks]

   3. c) What does the process of natural selection suggest might eventually happen to these environmental gains? Can you think of a way to avoid, or at least delay, that eventuality? [2 Marks]

Answer 1

a) Deployment of GM bt Crops has helped to reduce toxic water pollution as when pesticide is applied to crops, it's get washed away with water and make the water toxic and pollute it. Usage of Bt has reduce the need of pesticide, thus help in reducing the water pollution.

b) Bt employ the use of genetic engineering and do not involve the use of pesticide and weedicides. Chemical toxicity is reduce and arable soil is not harmed.

c) The insect won't be able to eat the crop but with time, variation andand natu selection will play it's role and slowly the insect will evolve over time and will be able to eat the crop. It can be reduce by using techniques like refugees and use of small amount of pesticide.