1. The Green Revolution & Genetically Modified Foods

2. The Green Revolution
The Green Revolution was the invention and rapid diffusion of more productive agricultural techniques during the 1970s and 1980s.
A) Involved two main practices:
The introduction of new higher-yield seeds.
The expanded use of fertilizers.
Its purpose was to increase agricultural productivity to avoid a much anticipated global famine.
The principal agricultural practices/technologies associated with GR
Artificial fertilizer
Irrigation
Insecticides and herbicides
Mechanical machinery
Hybridization – crossbreeding (disease resistance)

3. The Green Revolution
Regions where GR had significant impact on crop yields:
Central America – Mexico , South Asia – India, East Asia – China
Social, political, and cultural conditions necessary for successful GR:
Availability of credit/banks, money
Political stability
Receptive political environment
Middle class farmers (independent)
Market economy
Transportation system
Modern crop practices & techniques

4. The Green Revolution
Significant economic or ecological factors that limit long term success of the GR:
Increased cost of fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, fuel
Decline in soil quality
Water pollution
Finite water source
Drought
Some groups can’t get credit
Crushing debt load (farmers, nations, governments)
Availability of funds (additional equipment, seeds)

5. The Green Revolution A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO):
is an organism whose genome has been altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found there.
Why were they created?
1. to enhance growth and/or efficiency of food conversion to increase resistance of species to pathogens/parasites to increase tolerance to/of environmental variables such as temperature to control fertility and/or viability of the crop.

6. The Green Revolution Some of the negative effects of GMOs are:
Development of Food Allergies
Increased Toxicity
Decreased Nutritional Value
Antibiotic Resistance
How are GMOs connected to the Green Revolution?