Mark Tompkins Canaccord: The Use of Biotechnology for Food Production

You may think of biotechnology as a new scientific benefit, but as a matter of fact, it is thousands of years old. Nowadays there are myriad of possible benefits that can be provided by biotechnology because recently we discovered enough to start identifying and working with the genes that are responsible for traits. Traits are passed down over from one generation to the next one through genes made of DNA. Every living thing, no matter whether it is a fruit, vegetable or meat, contains functioning genes. Only recently, scientists learned enough to identify and work with genes responsible for traits. By learning how to move genes from one organism to another, scientists have in fact discovered genetic modification (GM), genetic engineering (GE) and genetic improvement (GI). Dedicated to the field of biological sciences, Mark Tompkins Canaccord has expressed particular interest in biotechnology and its impact.

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The Future Impact of Biotechnology on Agriculture

The use and future of modern biotechnology in the Agriculture -Food sector have grown into one of the most discussed topics not only in the U.S. but all around the world. In the last decade, the application of biological sciences in agriculture has become increasingly prominent, and as a result of that, the future of modern biotechnology has turned into an issue of public debate. Nebraska-Lincoln graduate in biological sciences, Mark Tompkins Canaccord, showed great interest in the development of agricultural biotechnology and inspired by that he completed his project work on the above-mentioned topic. Farmers have been improving wild plants and animals for as long as 10,000 years, resulting in domesticated plants and animals, through selection and breeding of desirable characteristics. But during the 20th century, breeders made the process more sophisticated by selecting traits that could increase yield, disease and pest resistance, drought resistance, and enhanced flavor.

Tompkins Canaccord: Modernization of Agriculture and Biotechnology

The beginning of modern civilization was marked by the introduction of agriculture, as agriculturalists improved production over the course of 10,000 years, and that way provided support to the ever increasing population. Over the last decade, innovations in the field of biotechnology have brought the American agricultural industry to a major productivity revolution, dramatically increasing crop yield and quality on American farms. Mark Tompkins Canaccord graduated with a degree in biological sciences and has become deeply involved in this new scientific and technical approach. Apart from developing his scientific skills and knowledge and getting trained by some of the leading experts in the field, he also completed a project work in agricultural biotechnology.

The new, genetically modified plants produced through modern biotechnology, not only did increase the overall production, but also prevented mass starvation and saved millions of acres of wilderness from disappearing from the earth. These transgenic or genetically modified plants have also made it possible in recent years to diminish the detrimental environmental impact of agriculture. However, what some people see as the industrialization of agriculture and use of genetic modification, others perceive as an ideology closely related with a plethora of controversies. As a scientist, Mark Tompkins Canaccord weighs both positives and negatives in order to come up with a scientific evidence. In fact, science doesn’t take sides regarding questions like whether GM crops are safe or unsafe, mainly because each genetically modified crop presents potential risks and benefits that must be evaluated.