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Climate-resilient genetically modified crops
Scientists have collected and stored seeds from species in the same genus as potatoes. In the future, these seeds may be used for genetic modification of potato plants. Genetically modified potato plants could help supply food to the human population as the climate changes.
Explain why genetic modification of crop plants may be important for the human population to survive climate change.
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Marking points
- 1 Explains at least one effect of climate change on weather, farmland or the survival of current crops.
- 2 Explains at least one relevant benefit of genetically modified crops.
- 3 Logically links the climate pressure and GM benefit to maintaining food supply or human survival.
- 4 Develops several relevant points in enough detail for a clear Level 3 account.
- 5 May use relevant discussion of reduced crop variation or the speed of natural selection.
Full-mark answer
Climate change can cause droughts, floods and temperature changes, so existing crops may fail and the area of usable farmland may decrease. Genes from related plants could be introduced to make crops tolerate these conditions, resist new pests or diseases, grow faster or give a higher yield. Producing more reliable food from less suitable land would help feed a growing human population even as climate change reduces ordinary crop production.
Why this answer loses marks
GM crops grow better, so people will survive climate change.
This skips the climate threat and does not link a specific useful crop trait to maintaining food supply when ordinary crops or farmland are lost.