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Soil runoff is one of the many things that is hurting the environment and the natural water supply. If farmers live near rivers and lakes, they can pollute those sources of water by using pesticides in their crops, which will then leak into nearby water supplies, which can be dangerous if exposed to local communities. Luckily, genetically modified crops, better known as GMOs, actually can help prevent dangerous runoff and stop people from getting sick.<\/p>\n
What are GMOs?<\/strong> While GMOs have been getting a bad rap because they are not considered natural, there have been no proven studies suggesting that GMOs are harmful toward humans or the environment. Instead, there have been several success stories, especially when it comes to fending off pests and growing crops successfully<\/a>, Northern Canola noted. Just take golden rice, a GMO crop designed to help those with vitamin A deficiencies. This type of rice, which gets its name from its color, will be used in developing nations and contains both iron and beta carotene to improve people's nutrition. Other GMO crops that are under development include a potato that absorbs less oil so that people consume less fatty acids.<\/p>\n How does it help runoff? <\/strong>
\nEvery crop, and organism in general, carries a certain set of genes that are linked to various traits and characteristics. Some of these traits attract pests to them, causing mass amounts of crops to perish and die. However, scientists realized they could manipulate specific genes in crops to help prevent them from getting eaten by particular pests. This technology is used in several areas aside from agriculture. It also has been used to help create insulin for diabetes patients, who were at risk for being transmitted the disease prior to GMO technology, which eliminated the dangerous gene within the medication.<\/p>\n
\nLuckily, GMO crops are not only helping to fend off pests and improve people's nutrition. They are also being used to prevent runoff and bolster the environment. This essentially happens through weed control. Farmers will control the growth of weeds on their farms by continuously tilling the land<\/a>, according to GMO answers. This tilling, or re-mixing of the soil, contributes to runoff and erosion, as well as the release of carbon monoxide, a greenhouse gas. However, with GMO crops, that does not have to occur. GMO crops do not attract pests and weeds, allowing farmers to till less often and preventing the release of greenhouse gases. The genetic modification also improves soil health, water retention and most importantly, stops runoff by preserving the top layer of soil.<\/p>\n