The science of biotechnology has dramatically increased our knowledge of how genes express themselves and highlighted the importance of preserving genetic material. Another related concern relates to the narrow range of crops that farmers currently grow. There are only about 35 crops with significant world production. If all farmers grew, for example, the same variety of corn, one unstoppable corn blight could easily destroy a huge amount of our corn production. This has been a concern with conventionally-bred crop varieties as well.
Biotechnology can help in two ways.
And biotechnology has the increased capability of developing multiple sub-species of the same crop, tailored to specific growing conditions and consumer needs, thereby reducing the chance of an entire crop being wiped out. Many individual state governments also work together to ensure that crops produced through biotechnology are safe. Foods produced through biotechnology must follow the same stringent rules as foods produced conventionally. Prior to field testing, companies and research institutions must register all biotech crops with the USDA for field testing permission. Researchers must assure that all pollen and plant parts of the tested plants are not released into the environment.