Intro to land and water use

To control wild-growing plants, farmers use herbicides. Genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) are engineered to resist specific herbicides, so that the herbicide kills the wild plants, but not the GMO crops. Over time, wild plants that are treated with these herbicides may evolve a resistance.

Would the development of herbicide-resistant plants be considered a benefit or a risk of genetic engineering in agriculture, and why?

(Choice A)
Risk, because newer, more toxic herbicides will be needed to control resistant plants.
(Choice B)
Benefit, because resistant plants can breed with other wild plants and spread their resistance.
(Choice C)
Risk, because engineered herbicides will kill both wild plants and GMO crops.
(Choice D)
Benefit, because resistant plants will grow abundantly on farms.

AP®︎/College Environmental science

Course: AP®︎/College Environmental science > Unit 4

Problem