為什麼科學家要把粟米基因改造?

Genetically Modified Corn has the following benifits:


Higher Yield
Farmars can generate higher profit because GM corn has a faster growth rate and a higher adaptability.

Lower Cost
Farmars and consumers would love it because of the lower cost.

Insect Resistant & Herbicide Resistant
Bt corn (a kind of GM corn) has higher resistance to pests, thus reducing the risk from pests and relevant illnesses. On the other hand, less chemical pesticides are needed (reduce 50% of the common usage), so it is more environmental friendly which can help protecting the ecology.

Higher Nutrition
Scientists can alter the nutrition components of the corn by genetically modification. For example, a high lysine corn.

Less harmful toxin
Fewer fungi can invade the GM corn and produce toxin. According to International Council for Science, GM corn has lower levels of mycotoxins, potentially carcinogenic compounds to humans.


References:
PLoS Biology Website
Health Canada (pest-resistance)
Health Canada (high lysine corn)

it makes them look nicer?!