One area that DNA sequencing had a huge impact on was agriculture. The ability to identify DNA sequencing gave birth to the technology of genetically modified foods. Seed biotechnologists are now able to isolate specific genes that they want from one organism, and put it into another all thanks to DNA sequencing. Agriculture is just one of the many fields of research DNA sequencing has affected, and the result is a totally new generation of plants.
What is Genetically Modified Food? Researchers in the agricultural field use DNA sequencing everyday to develop genetically engineered foods. Without the quick and practical methods of sequencing, this technology would be impossible to engineer.  To genetically modify a plant, researchers take a gene that codes for a desired trait in one organism and sticks it into the genes of the plant. This way the plant will begin to express the gene put into it, therefore acquiring the desired trait. For example, researcher have been able to take a certain genes from bacteria, and put it into food plants to increase their resistance against bugs and pest. As a result, the crops are healthier, produce a higher yield, and less spray-on pesticides which are very damaging to the environment are used. (53) The first food to every be genetically modified was the Flavr Savr tomato, and it was approved for market in 1992. The tomato was engineered to ripen slower, thus decreasing the rotting rate. (54) |  Figure (52) |
