Backround Information

1) Biotechnology is modification of DNA  in living things to achieve a specific desired trait. In plant foods this is called recombinant DNA, or gene splicing.

2) Genetically engineered foods are foods that have been altered/spliced to present a specific trait.

3) Advantages: The crops are more productive, they offer more nutritional value and better flavor, scientists could possibly eliminate allergens in some foods, they are resistant to pests weeds and disease, they are more capable of growing in regions with poor climate and soil and in very small areas, they require less pesticides, and they stay fresh longer.

4) Disadvantages: Stronger weeds and pests could start attacking the plants which would then lead to the production of stronger pesticides, theses foods can be harmful to the environment and to our health such as the reduction of effectiveness of antibiotics . (Pollination of weeds with genetically engineererd foods could lead to super strong weeds that are very hard to kill.)