From the excellent September/October issue of Utne magazine: Plant breeders have found there is a better way (subscription required) than genetically splicing animal genes into plants to achieve better crops. Plant geneticists are utilizing a process of applying precise genetic mapping, known as smart breeding, to the ancient agricultural practice of crossbreeding. This process involves using knowledge of genetics to find and utilize dormant genes hidden in rare or wild plants. "Smart Breeding" utilizes the best of our understanding of genetics and traditional crossbreeding techniques while avoiding the expense, patent politics and environmental risks of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
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