The story from the European corn borer Willi and his fear before transgenic Maize E-Book

Detlef Schmidt

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Seitenzahl: 24

Beschreibung

Genetic engineering admires as a method and process of biotechnology and at the same time cursed? Why cursed? This method uses specifically in the genetic material (Genome), and thus in the biochemical control processes of living beings (including the plants). The story about Willi the European corn borer should explain without much "gobbledegook" how the green genetic technology works. At the same time, with this story, I would like to give the readers an idea of the application of green genetic engineering. Let every man form his own judgment!

Leseprobe

Preface

Genetic engineering admires as a method and process of biotechnology and at the same time both a blessing and a curse? Why cursed? This method uses specifically in the genetic material (genome), and thus in the biochemical control processes of living beings (including the plants).

Genetically modified crop plants are referred to as transgenic crop plants. The first approval of such crop plants took place in 1996. Since then, this technique has grown rapidly. For example, in 19 countries, the number of genetically modified crop plants was increased to 148 million hectares in 29 countries, or 10 percent of global agricultural land.

These crop plants are resistant to plant protection products (for example Glyphosate) or toxic to certain harmful insects due to the genetic modification.

The seed from these plants is more expensive than "normal" seed, but promises higher yields, work facilities, income and health benefits. The environment should also be less affected by the use of genetically modified crop plants. From a scientific point of view, a safety for the environment and health is attested. Environmental associations, suppliers of ecologically produced products and some political parties reject this green technology.

All scientific experiments and commercial cultivation, as any release into the environment, are subject to approval. Why, if everything is so harmless and good?

The transfer of genetic material into another plant is not possible under normal conditions, the proviso is that such "genetically modified organisms" (GMOs) could have negative effects on the environment! So not so safe?

For this reason, the legislature always prescribes an authorization procedure when GM plants are released into the environment.

The legal basis for this in Europe is the "EU Directive on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment (2001/18)". All EU Member States have transposed them into national law, in Germany with the Genetic Engineering Act.

The story about Willi the European corn borer should explain without much "thumble-jumble" how the green genetic technology works. At the same time, with this story, I would like to give the readers an idea of the application of green genetic engineering. Let every man form his own judgment!

Nature does not need us - but we need nature!

Peter von Tresckow

This book is dedicated to my wife Beate and my son Dennis

Before I tell about Willi the European corn borer, I have an introduction to the pest science.