Other biotech foods, like a potato that absorbs less oil, may help to prevent heart disease by cutting back on fat. Biotechnology could improve nutrition in other ways, such as producing allergy-free peanuts and rice. Researchers are even working on a banana that could deliver vaccines against hepatitis B and other deadly diseases. Canola, corn, soybeans, and potatoes are examples of biotech crops widely grown in Canada. In 1999, more than half of the canola acreage and one-third of the corn acreage was in varieties or hybrids developed using biotechnology.
Researchers continue to work on a variety of new biotech crops.
There are many potential benefits of biotechnology. One major area is health care. Since the initial production of human insulin to better treat diabetes, biotechnology continues to create more effective drugs and vaccines. Another potential area of benefit is in industrial applications. Some applications of industrial biotechnology may help reduce our dependence on oil and natural gas and could reduce water and energy use by as much as 50 percent.