Varietal Improvement and GMOs

GMOs and challenges for the future

Since the 1990s, environmental subjects have taken a place in the spotlight in public debate. Different scientific and political schools of thought have produced various critiques, analyses, and summaries of current practices. Between conventional agriculture, using pesticides and fertilizer; integrated farming, using a minimum of additives along with an increased number of natural techniques; and organic agriculture, with chemicals prohibited, there is still little clarity in the minds of legislators and consumers. Today, ecosystem balance, biodiversity, and proper treatment of agricultural workers are key ideas that involve finding solutions that are respectful of all.

Plant breeding for improving vegetable genetics

Through science, modeling nature according to our desires may become a real possibility for humans. Whether using simple, ancient techniques or modern and sophisticated means, humans can now modify the living plant world for their own benefit: to feed all living people and animals; to produce energy, products and services; to take care of the environment; and to find medical therapies and industrial resources and techniques.

We take stock of current scientific knowledge in this monograph published by the Louis Bonduelle Foundation in 2011.