Exploring Genetic Engineering: How It's Protecting Crops and Enhancing Food

In this video - Exploring Genetic Engineering: Protecting Crops and Enhancing Food - I look at three examples of how genetic engineering has been used to protect crops from insects and enhance the nutritional value of food.

1. BT Cotton: A Solution with Unintended Consequences

BT cotton is a prime example of how genetic engineering can provide a targeted solution to agricultural problems. This cotton variety has been engineered to produce a toxin derived from a specific type of bacteria. The toxin crystallises within the plant, and when an insect eats the leaves, the toxin dissolves the insect’s gut, eliminating the pest without the need for widespread insecticide use. This approach has the added benefit of protecting beneficial insects, as the crop itself becomes a selective defence mechanism.

However, this crop has had some unintended consequences. For example, in India, the high cost of BT cotton seeds has created a debt cycle for many farmers. Additionally, the market has seen a rise in counterfeit seeds, complicating the situation further. 

2. Venomous Cabbage: A Controversial Defense

I do like this one.... what made the researchers think of it?

The venomous cabbage - these cabbages have been modified to express scorpion venom in their leaves. The Diamondback moth larvae, notorious for damaging cabbage crops, eat the leaves of cabbages producing the venom and dying. Luckily, this venom is not toxic to humans, making the cabbage safe to eat.

Would you be comfortable eating such a cabbage?

3. Golden Rice: Tackling Vitamin A Deficiency

I was involved in a similar project - more about that in a later video.

Golden Rice represents a more human-centric approach to genetic engineering. This rice has been enriched with beta-carotene, a compound the human body can convert into vitamin A - making it a potent tool in the fight against vitamin A deficiency, which is prevalent in many parts of the world.

The rice owes its yellow colour to the addition of genes from daffodils and bacteria.

While Golden Rice has the potential to significantly improve public health, it also raises important questions. How do we feel about consuming a staple food that contains genes from other species? This case exemplifies the broader debate surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their role in our food supply.

What are your thoughts on these genetically engineered crops? Would you eat them? Let me know in the comments or comment on the video.