4 ms·
The most important thing to recognize here is that bananas used as crops do not exhibit genetic drift (they are sterile). We clone new bananas from existing pla
by svsaraf 12y ago
The most important thing to recognize here is that bananas used as crops do not exhibit genetic drift (they are sterile). We clone new bananas from existing plants. Many of the bananas today, including the Cavendish, are thus very vulnerable to diseases like the fungus mentioned.
Genetic modification is one of the few ways we can keep the bananas we like while adjusting them for more recent diseases and pests. The only other way I know is to go back and find the ancestral species, and try to breed a fertile banana cousin.
- shabble 12y agoIt also seems like it would negate one of the biggest potential hazards of GMO applications - the accidental spread of damaging traits to native species through cross-pollination. IIRC the seeding ability was intentionally bred out of cultivated bananas because the seeds themselves were large, inedible, and comprised a significant portion of the fruit itself.
- kiba 12y agoGE crops are designed to grow food for humans, not optimized to survive in the wild.
- Goosey 12y agoAt which point does the latter result in the former being shortsighted?
- nitid_name 12y agoThat happens on the post-apocalyptic time line, I would assume