Review on Genetically Modified Horticultural Crops, Benefit, Risk and Public Perceptions

Since agriculture started Peoples were trying to select the best varieties, cross-fertilize and then further selecting to improve the domesticated crops. Through process, plant improvement by the use of biotechnology and genetic engineering by manipulating existing genetic resources started. This technology offers breeders access short way of improving domesticated plants, mainly because it can bypass biological barriers for recombination and genetic exchange across unrelated species by creating Trans genes. The first genetically modified (GM) plant was produced in 1983, using an antibiotic-resistant tobacco plant, since then a number of genetically modified food crops were developed. Some of the genetically modified crops available in the market include cotton, soybean, canola, potatoes, corn, tomatoes, etc. This paper critically reviews genetically modified crops, their benefit, risk and public perception, it also addresses the production trend of biotech crops. Genetically-modified food crops has the potential to solve many of the world's hunger and malnutrition problems and to help protect and preserve the environment by increasing yield and reducing reliance upon chemical pesticides and herbicides. In contrary much has been said about potential risks of genetic engineering technology, there are critics and concerns about the safety, environmental and ecological risks and health hazards; but so far there is little evidence from scientific studies that these risks are real. The following points are the gaps need to be filled in order for it to be successful technology. This includes to test the potential risks of GM food crops under controlled condition before their introduction, Scientists should first finish probing for desirable trait from more of related species before going for another organism so as to reduce the public’s concern, informing the public about the food production and the safety used in developing GM crops so they can form opinions based on facts, not fear, making the primary goal of institution to serve the public not money. DOI : 10.7176/ALST/74-01 Publication date :May 31 st 2019