Biotechnology- Significance in food production

The importance of the application of modern biotechnology in food production and its impact on human health and development can not be ruled out. While the world faces a growing population and increasing food shortages and regional imbalances, new techniques and technologies have been developed to improve production and increase the shelf life of perishable products. E 'in this sense that new research initiatives in biotechnology have been made to improve the productivity and nutritional value of foods.

Foods produced by modern biotechnology can be classified as follows:

1. Food consisting of or containing living organisms or viable, for example, maize.

2. Foods derived from or containing ingredients produced from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), such as flour, the products of dietary protein, or genetically modified soybean oil, wheat etc.

3. Foods containing simple ingredients or additives produced by microorganisms (GMMs) such as color, vitamins and essential amino acids.

4. Foods containing ingredients treated with enzymes produced by MGM, for example syrup, high fructose corn produced from using the enzyme glucose isomerase (product of MGM).

The first component of genetically modified foods (GMOs delayed ripening tomato) was introduced in the U.S. market in mid 1990. Since then, GM strains of maize, soybean, rapeseed and cotton have been adopted by a number of countries and marketed internationally. In addition, GM varieties of papaya, potato, rice, pumpkin and sugar beet have been tested or released. It is estimated that GM crops cover almost 4% of the total arable land.

The development of genetically modified organisms, has revolutionized the scenario of world food production. He also offered the opportunity to increase agricultural productivity and improving the nutritional value that can directly contribute to the improvement of human health and development. From a health perspective, there may also have indirect benefits such as reduced use of chemicals and farm incomes improved and sustainable crop improvement and food security, particularly in developing countries.

Although the introduction of GM crops has undoubtedly changed the scenario of the agricultural sector and led to a significant impact on human development, has also raised a number of social, cultural and ethical issues and the reluctance on the part of individual countries and governments to accept genetically modified foods, even in times of need such as famine and severe drought. While some countries have established standards for pre-market regulatory risk assessment of each food, before being launched on the market for the application, there may be a case of a coherent and consistent international regulatory authorities to ensure that the food complies with a set of rules that are fair and equitable. This will also remove a number of fears and doubts in the minds of countries that have yet to benefit from these foods.