ABSTRACT
Processes that change the genetic make-up of plants are as old as history–older in fact, as the evolutionary processes that saw plants evolve began long before humans came along, populated the Earth, and started to think about plants and the past. It's thought the simplest purposeful human plant breeding strategy of identifying plants with a desirable trait and selecting them to grow more plants might be almost 10,000 years old. The cross-breeding of plants of the same species with different characteristics can produce new varieties with the desired properties. An effective approach is to exploit the genetic exchange that lies at the heart of sexual reproduction to breed plants. Those who can see merit in some aspects of genetic modification say that the root-and-branch opposition risks losing benefits that might help feed the world's hungry. One such person is Mark Lynas, who was once a committed anti-GM activist.
