Some farmers in Canada are considering growing genetically modified (GM) canola (rapeseed). Growing GM canola means they can spend less on weed control, but there are other costs involved. The table below shows estimated costs (in Canadian dollars, CAD, per hectare) for growing non-GM canola versus GM canola:
| Type of expense | Non-GM canola (CAD per hectare) | GM canola (CAD per hectare) |
|---|---|---|
| Seeds | 55 | 75 |
| Licensing fee | 0 | 15 |
| Herbicide costs | 140 | 85 |
Use data from the table to suggest why the farmers want to start growing GM canola.
The canola has been genetically modified. Which type of substance is transferred into the plant cells to genetically modify them? Choose from: DNA, protein, fertiliser, herbicide.
Some consumers are concerned about buying food products made from GM canola, such as canola oil. Suggest two reasons why some people may not want to buy products made from GM crops.
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.