Global food security is one of the most significant challenges facing the human race, as the demand for food continues to rise globally.
State one major socio-economic or demographic factor driving this continuous increase in global food demand.
Genetic modification (GM) is one of the biotechnological tools used to address global food shortages.
Explain what is meant by the term genetic modification.
Apart from increasing the raw crop yield, suggest two characteristics of crop plants that scientists can alter using genetic modification to improve food security.
In a public opinion poll, 400 respondents were asked to select the primary statement they agreed with regarding GM crops. The results of the poll are shown in the table below.
| Statement | Number of respondents | |
|---|---|---|
| Negative | GM crops damage wild insect populations. | 62 |
| GM crops lead to an unfair monopoly by large corporations. | 54 | |
| GM crops may cause allergic reactions in humans. | 44 | |
| Positive | GM crops can grow in low-water or saline soils. | 88 |
| GM crops can be engineered to have an enhanced shelf-life. | 78 | |
| GM crops can produce their own natural insect repellents. | 74 |
Calculate the percentage of respondents in this poll who hold a positive opinion of genetic modification.
25 exam-style questions on OCR GCSE Biology 6.2 Feeding the human race, covering 6.2.1 Biological factors affecting food security, 6.2.2 Agricultural solutions to growing demand, 6.2.3 Selective breeding, 6.2.4 Genetic engineering, 6.2.5 Steps in genetic engineering, 6.2.6 Benefits and risks of gene technology in agriculture, and 6.2.7 Biotechnological solutions to growing demand. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.