ABSTRACT
Technological advances in biotechnology, including genetic engineering, have enabled transfer of genetic traits both within species and between entirely different plant and animal species. Biotechnology techniques are being used in various fields, including agriculture, veterinary medicine, pharmaceutical development, forestry, energy conservation, and waste treatment. This chapter assesses the environmental, health, and socioeconomic benefits and risks of biotechnology, including genetic engineering, in agricultural systems. Proponents of biotechnology claim that use of biotechnology and its subdiscipline of genetic engineering is needed to renew the momentum of plant and animal genetics and is one of the factors that has contributed to food production gains achieved thus far. The public appears to find certain applications of biotechnology and genetic engineering acceptable, including plant-to-plant gene transfers and use of this technology to solve food problems in developing countries. However, other applications of biotechnology, such as animal-to-plant gene exchanges are reported to be less acceptable.
