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10% of the world’s population is starving. Save the situation can genetically modified foods. We tell who creates them and how it affects the environment and people
Who is a GMO agronomist
A GMO agronomist is a specialist who deals with changing the genes of crops. Vegetables, fruits, herbs and other plants are modified to create new varieties. As a rule, they have higher yields, resistance to diseases and pests, quick maturation, or increased nutritional value.
For example, back in 1994, Monsanto, with the help of genetic engineering developed its own tomato variety Flavr Savr. The flounder genes were added to the tomatoes, and this gave amazing results. The new product could be stored for weeks in a semi-ripe state in a cool room and immediately turned red as soon as it turned out to be warm.
GMO-agronomist — one of the professions of the future.
What does a GMO agronomist do?
The work of a GMO agronomist is one of the areas of selection. Previously, specialists in this science, through long crossings and artificial selection, bred new varieties and breeds. The development of genetic engineering has significantly accelerated these processes and opened up new opportunities for agronomists.
So, today the main genetically modified (GM) crops grown by people are corn, rapeseed, soybeans and cotton. From 1996 to 2014, the area under cultivation of these plants increased from 1,7 million hectares to 182 million hectares. Most of these crops are in the USA, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and India.
There are different ways to modify plants. For example, agrobacterial transfer. it a natural mechanism by which certain bacteria infect a culture and begin to make changes to its genes. GMO agronomists know how to force these organisms to introduce the desired properties into plants, taken from other genetic donors.
Another common way is ballistic transformation. To conduct it, GMO agronomists bombard the organs and tissues of plants with microparticles of heavy metals like gold and tungsten, coated with the necessary DNA preparation. Reaching the required speed, the particles penetrate into the nuclei of cells and transfer the necessary genetic structure into them.
Skills Required for a GMO Agronomist
A GMO agronomist needs to have a basic knowledge of biology, genetics, microbiology, crop production and genetic engineering. However, such a specialist will also need super-professional skills.
systems thinking it is necessary to see how the new product will fit into the overall picture of production.
Ability for cross-industry communication important for communication with specialists from related fields.
Ability to manage projects Useful for controlling deadlines and budgets.
Customer-centricity is necessary to understand the real goals of customers in the development of a GM product.
Environmental thinking will help not to harm the planet by creating new organisms.
Trends and directions of the profession
Nearly 10% of the world’s population is starving, so that the problem of providing all people with sufficient food is not in last place today. GM foods can play a significant role in resolving this situation. However, two polar opposite camps have formed in the world – opponents and defenders of GMOs.
The most notable fighter against GMOs on a global scale is the Greenpeace organization. It believes that modified products are little studied and can harm the environment. In our country, the National Association for Genetic Safety opposes GMOs. According to Forbes, industry representatives have questions about the cost of participation and certification. For example, Nestle companies offered to pay an entrance fee of ₽285 thousand for membership in the Association. And a sticker with a hologram “Genetically safe” costs manufacturers 8–9 thousand rubles for each product name.
On the side of GMOs are the majority of the scientific community. For example, in 2016 A study was published by specialists from the IPTP RAS, in which they analyzed popular publications about the dangers of GMOs and proved their inconsistency. Scientists from Italy conducted a meta-analysis of field data on the cultivation of GM corn and concluded that it is in many ways even safer than traditional.
In 2016, 159 Nobel laureates signed an open letter to Greenpeace, in which they asked the organization to abandon the views declaring the harm of GM products. Finally, the US National Academy of Sciences conducted its own large-scale study. Scientists have found no evidence that GM crops adversely affect human health or create agronomic or environmental problems.
Nevertheless, in our country, the production of GMOs banned since 2016. Although this does not mean the death of the industry as such. For example, GMO agronomists can still engage in research activities in this direction. The study of the effect of GMOs on humans is still available, as well as the cultivation of new plants through gene modification in experimental programs.
Where and when did the profession come from
The profession of GMO agronomist originated from traditional breeding. This science has accompanied humanity throughout the history of agriculture, but it has developed thanks to the experiences of the farmers themselves. They selected the best fruits for planting, trying to preserve their properties in future harvests and launching artificial selection.
As a real science, selection took shape in our country several centuries ago. Professionals argue over more appropriate dates, taking as a starting point either the start of research by a certain scientist (for example, Bolotov in the 1760s), or the creation of the first Russian breeding station in 1903.
Genetic modification of products was first made in 1972 at Stanford University. The global commercial use of GM plants started in the 90s.
How to become a GMO agronomist
To get into the profession, you have to unlearn in one of agricultural universities. Programs in breeding or genetics are suitable. Growing GM foods for commercial purposes in our country will not work, but you can become a researcher who makes new developments for export. In addition, professional development in the direction of GMO agronomy is possible in a foreign company operating in a country where GMOs are not banned.