Genetically modified food on agricultural biotechnology has generated considerate interest and controversy in the United States. Some say that technology's benefits while others raise questions about environmental and food safety. .
The United States accounts for over two-thirds of all biotechnology crops planted globally. Genetically modified food crops grown by U.S. farmers include corn, cotton, soybeans, canola, squads, and papaya.
Crop varieties developed by genetic engineering were first introduced for a commercial production in 1996. Today these crops are planted on more than 145 million acres worldwide. U.S. farmers are by far the largest producers of genetically modified crops. .
The principle agricultural biotechnology products marketed to date have been genetically modified crops engineered to tolerate herbicides and resist pest. Crops carrying herbicide tolerant genes were developed so that farmers could spray their fields to eliminate weeds without demanding the crop. .
The United States has consistently planted more Genetically modified crops then any other country, with 96.3 million acres supporting Genetic modified crops in 2002. .
In the United States the three main genetic modified crops under cultivation are varieties of corn, soybeans, and cotton.
The United States agricultural department is setting up a new enforcement unit to ensure that biotech companies are properly managing field trials of genetically engineered crops.
Genetic modification takes selective breeding a step further, Scientist are learning how to identify genes and recognize which genes control the development of which characteristics. They are now able to breed offspring by transporting the desirable genes from one plant to another.
There are concerns that genetic modified crops could escape from their fields and growing more vigorously then other crops and wild plants. It has been suggested that genetic modified plants could breed with other plants producing uncontrollable weed species with herbicide resistance.
