Biotechnology Pros and Cons List

While this form of technology may be somewhat new, the idea that it is based upon is not. Agricultural experts have long been experimenting with new and interesting ways to improve the growth of crops. Concepts such as cross pollination and selective breeding are merely some of the earliest forms of biotechnology. There are a number of pros and cons that must be considered when deciding if biotechnology is right for our future, so let’s take a closer look.

List of Pros of Biotechnology

1. Improved Nutritional Quality
When biotechnology is used, the vitamins and nutrients included in the food are greatly enhanced. This allows people to improve the quality of their diet, without being forced to drastically alter their overall eating habits. It also allows for less eating to sustain satiation, which can put a serious dent in the world hunger issue.

2. Further Options For Growth
The amount of land that is currently ignored when it comes to growing food is astronomical. In order to utilize more land and take advantage of unconventional growing seasons, biotechnology. Climates that are currently inhospitable for plant growth can finally be tapped into and more food can be produced throughout the world.

3. Reduced Need For Pesticides
Plants can be created that are naturally resistant to pests and parasites, which allows for a decreased usage of pesticides. Pesticides are often the reason for crops that don’t produce at the same level as farmers expect and eliminating their influence allows for a more guaranteed yield each year. This is a boon for the farmer, as well as the consumer.

List of Cons of Biotechnology

1. No Monetary Savings Realized
While there are several benefits involved with biotechnology, the costs involved are not one of them. It costs agriculturists the same amount of money to engineer their plants with the use of biotechnology than it does to use more conventional methods. The consumer also pays the same amount for products that are engineered in this fashion.

2. Unexpected Cross Pollination
No matter how you slice it, there will always be a high level of cross pollination that takes place during a growth cycle. If plants that are created with the use of biotechnology come into contact with those that have not, unexpected consequences can occur. Hybrid plants are created and these plants are far from sustainable.

3. Tough On The Soil
The more biotechnology used, the more nutrients and vitamins that are drained from the soil. When this phenomenon takes place, the soil is significantly weakened, making it far more difficult for crops to be grown in the same area in the future. All it takes is two or three years of biotechnology crops to destroy the usefulness of soil over the long haul.