Traditionally, farmers have been using pesticides to deal with a pest called stalk borer, one of the many types of stem borers. The stalk borer attacks the maize when it is growing and can be extremely destructive, leading to loss of whole plantations in some cases. And because developing varieties that can resist the pest is itself a tall order and can take scientists up to 10 years, the Bt maize is regarded as a solution.
The process involves isolating a gene from bacteria in the soil {Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)} that is then transferred to the maize. It induces resistance by producing a poisonous toxin that kills the larvae of the stalk borer. "Preliminary results show that Bt maize will control three or four of the major stem borers in Kenya. Already the Bt maize is being grown in other parts of the world like the US and the KARl believes it is time Kenya adopted this seed.
The fact is that chemicals are expensive and over time, they become ineffective.
Traditionally, farmers have been using pesticides to deal with a pest called stalk borer, one of the many types of stem borers. The stalk borer attacks the maize when it is growing and can be extremely destructive, leading to loss of whole plantations in some cases. And because developing varieties that can resist the pest is itself a tall order and can take scientists up to 10 years, the Bt maize is regarded as a solution.
The process involves isolating a gene from bacteria in the soil {Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)} that is then transferred to the maize. It induces resistance by producing a poisonous toxin that kills the larvae of the stalk borer. "Preliminary results show that Bt maize will control three or four of the major stem borers in Kenya. Already the Bt maize is being grown in other parts of the world like the US and the KARl believes it is time Kenya adopted this seed.
The fact is that chemicals are expensive and over time, they become ineffective.
Apart from shielding crops from destruction, GM varieties are also said to mature quickly and have much higher returns per acre than conventional crops.
Others are resistant to herbicides, meaning it is possible to apply a herbicide when the crop is already off the ground without causing damage. Other advantages cited are non-reliance of fertilizer inputs, drought and pest resistance.
May 29, 2008 Rating
...Understand What Gmos are? by: Anonymous
What exactly are GMOs and why have they generated so much opposition? First and foremost, it’s important to differentiate between biotechnology as a whole and genetic engineering in specific.
Biotechnology is a scientific tool used to develop a new product with specific qualities that can make a crop yield more, taste better among other traits. Genetic engineering, on the other hand, involves the taking of a gene from one plant and putting it in a different plant. It also involves taking a gene from an animal and putting it into a plant.
GMOs, thus, are organisms whose genetic composition has been altered using techniques known as recombinant DNA technology which enable the modification of certain traits of the organism in question.
The technology allows scientists to select a single gene for a single for a single characteristic and transfer that stretch of DNA from one organism. “Usually, the DNA of the crop is modified so that the plant has a new attribute.
As a firm believer in scientific-led agriculture, are based on lack of information and understanding. People do not take time to read and understand issues. They delight in street talk without going to scientific proof.
Take for instance the issue of GMOs growing or mutating. First it is important to understand that GMOs are not living organisms but plants with one gene from a different plant or animal. And apart from having a history of safety after years of research, under no circumstance can the seed mutate.
