Manipulation of Food Species to Increase Productivity

Manipulation of Food Species to Increase Productivity

Genetic Modification

• Genetic modification involves altering the genetic makeup of a plant or animal to produce desired traits. This can improve productivity by creating breeds that are disease resistant or can withstand harsh environments.
• Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are used in the generation of crops with increased resistance to pests and diseases, decreasing the need for expensive and potentially harmful pesticides.
• The development of ‘Golden Rice’ which is enriched with the nutrient beta-carotene providing Vitamin A, illustrates the use of genetic modification to enhance the nutritional content of crops.

Selective Breeding

• Selective breeding is an ancient method of improving the traits of plants and animals. It involves choosing specific plants or animals to reproduce based on their characteristics, leading to the stronger traits being passed down.
• It has resulted in the creation of high-yield, disease-resistant or climate-adapted breeds of crops and varieties of animals.
• For instance, breeds of dairy cattle have been selectively bred for their high milk production.

Use of Growth Hormones and Antibiotics

• The use of growth hormones in livestock increases the speed and amount of growth, leading to more efficient meat production. However, the use of such hormones is highly controversial due to potential health risks to both humans and the animals.
• Antibiotics are often used in livestock farming to prevent diseases and increase productivity. However, misuse can lead to antibiotic resistance which becomes a major public health concern.

Hydroponics and Aquaponics

• Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, typically using mineral nutrient solutions in water. This allows for control of nutrient application, optimising plant growth and productivity.
• Aquaponics combines raising fish in tanks (aquaculture) with hydroponics. The fish waste provides an organic food source for the plants, and the plants filter the water in which the fish live. A good example is the growth of leafy greens in the same system where tilapia are raised.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Manipulation Methods

• Increasing productivity through such methods can help to meet the demands of a growing global population.
• However, concerns are often raised about the safety, ethics, and environmental impact of some of these methods.
• Extended use of antibiotics can contribute to antibiotic resistance, excessive use of pesticides can harm non-target species, and genetic modification can potentially introduce unforeseen changes to an organism’s physiology or behaviour.
• There is also potential for manipulation methods to increase inequality in global agricultural systems, with large-scale industrial farms benefiting more than smallholder farms.
• Therefore, along with increasing productivity, it is important to consider sustainability and social complexity when applying manipulation methods to food species.