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 * ﻿N U M B E R 7 A N D 8 ** Natalie Hallett

**#7 - How long and in what ways we have been manipulating plants. Why do humans manipulate plants and what are the effects of some of those manipulations? Would human civilization exist without human manipulation of plants and animals? ** We have manipulated plants over the years by genetically modifying them, spraying them with chemicals to ensure they grow healthy, and controlling them to grow in a specific way. We have been manipulating plants since 1994, by genetically modifying the first plant, the "Flavr Savr" tomato. The reason we manipulate plants is to ensure they grow in a way that can be beneficial and succesful to the farmers and the buyers. These manipulations can have some negative effects, people can get sick from the constant spraying of chemicals onto these plants. And as for genetic modification, it might not always work, eventually we're going to need to go back to the original seed, and start growing our plants naturally all over again. Human civilization would continue to exist without the manipulation of plants and animals, but our food industry wouldn't be as successful, and it would be harder to grow thriving crops.



**#8 - Are there alternatives to the way we practice crop agriculture in North America? Scan the first two paragraphs then scroll down to "short term issues, medium term issues and long term issues" for information. ** Short term - Agricultural biodiversity can stabilize, improve productivity, promote resilience and resistance in production systems. Bioversity's Pests and Diseases project has helped farmers to use natural resistance from co-evolution of pests and traditional crops. Different varieties in a crop can reduce the amount of pests and diseases, also making a better use of land and water for nutritional benefits. Growing for market is also important for business and well being.

Medium term - Genebanks hold about 11% of the world's samples of crop plant diversity, which have been the source of many important qualities used by farmers. The system wide Genetic Resources group provides free information to farmers about genetic resources to ensure medium term sustainability. Agricultural biodiversity is essential in coping with climate change, it is the foundation of flexibility and adaptability.

Long term - It is alost impossible to provide aspects of agricultural biodiversity that will be needed in the long time future, but genebanks will for sure play a key role in collecting and conserving genetic diversity. The Seed Treaty is also an important part of long term sustainability, to ensure the use of diversity.