Green Revolution and GMOs
Casey Suttles 3rd Period Furnish
What were the causes and results of the Bengal Famine in 1943?
Three basic elements of the Green Revolution in India
- Farming land was being increased across the country but not enough to reach the growing demands, leading to the necessity of other methods.
Double-cropping existing farmland:
- India only has one natural monsoon a year, so second artificial monsoon is created by the means of huge irrigation systems to enable a second crop season. Dams were built to reserve natural monsoon water which would've bee previously wasted.
Using seeds with superior genetics:
- High Yield Value (HYV) seeds were developed the by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research. Genetically modified wheat, rice, millet and corn increased the output of crops.
Two positive results of the Green Revolution in India
- During the Green Revolution India was established as one of the world's largest producers in agriculture.
- The water stored in dams created hydroelectric power, improving India's power sustainability.
Three positive economic, sociological, and political results of the Green Revolution in India
- The increased demand for labor in the manufacturing and agricultural industries created new jobs and benefited the countries economy.
- India progressed from a nation where people struggled with producing enough food to a major exporter of agricultural items.
- All of the loans India had taken from the World Bank were able to be paid off
Two limitations of the Green Revolution in India
- The Green Revolution didn't succeed in making India completely self-sufficient in food production permanently
- HYV seeds have not been extended to all crops/regions in India
Human health risks and environmental impact
GMOs - the good and the bad
- reduce the needs of pesticides and herbicides
- can manipulate foods to have certain nutrients
- helps increase production of crops
- more resistant to disease
- can be manipulated to withstand more extreme environmental conditions.
Negatives:
- consumption of GMOs increases the chances of developing of food allergies
- when pollen is spread of GMOs to other plants it can create "superweeds" that are resistant to pesticides.
- very little testing has been done on genetically modified foods and most of information about them has not been made public.
- plants beginning to produce own insecticides, leading to resistant insects and humans consumption of the insecticide.
- pesticides (like the plant made insecticide previously mentioned) have been linked to causing cancer, neurological diseases, and other health concerns.
Bibliography
Headey, Derek D., and John F. Hoddinott. "Agriculture, Nutrition, and the Green Revolution in Bangladesh." International Food Policy Research Institute. N.p., 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
"Bengal Famine of 1943." Global Security. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
"The Good, Bad and Ugly about GMOs - Natural Revolution." Natural Revolution. N.p., 23 Oct. 2014. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
Connealy, Leigh E., M.D. "GMOs: The Pros & Cons of Genetically Modified Food - Newport Natural Health." Newport Natural Health. N.p., 9 July 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
"Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Foods - HRF." HRF. N.p., 04 Dec. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
"Negative Impacts on GM Foods:." GMO. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.