La producción de alimentos de origen animal para la población humana depende de los recursos vegetales de nuestro planeta, principalmente. Un pequeño porcentaje de las raciones para aves, cerdos y ganado bovino proviene de recursos minerales y de materiales sintetizados por el hombre. Esta dependencia de los recursos vegetales hace que la naturaleza y modificaciones genéticas de los mismos sean tan importante para la producción animal. Los cambios que pueda lograr la ingeniería genética en plantas que se utilizan como alimento animal, significan, primero que con la misma tierra cultivable (quizá menos cada año) se produzcan mayores cosechas, menos susceptibles a plagas y pesticidas.
Esto finalmente redundará a corto y mediano plazo en la disponibilidad y costos de la carne, leche y huevo que consumimos.
La Red Midia
Seed biotechnology: The impact on animal production
Advances in seed biotechnology will enhance crop traits to lower feed costs and improve animal health in the future, but political and social obstacles may hinder such progress.
Over the course of two decades, genetically modified (GM) crops have offered many benefits to farmers, consumers and the environment, including the use of fewer pesticides, larger yields and lower food and animal feed costs.
The world is facing very real challenges that may prompt further exploration into the potential of seed biotechnology. By 2050, food production will have to increase by 70 percent to feed a global population of 9.7 billion. To do so will require intensification in crop and animal protein production.
For those working in animal agriculture and its allied industries, the availability, quality and price of feedstuffs is an evergreen concern. Looking to the future, the following innovations will play a large part in securing a sustainable and abundant cereal supply. However, in the short term, GM seed technology must overcome a series of significant obstacles.
Fuente: WATTAgNet
