A seed is a component of a plant that contains an embryo, which serves to produce a new sample. The transgenic, for its part, is an adjective that refers to that living being whose composition has been altered by the incorporation of external genes (which were not their own by nature).
Therefore, transgenic seeds are those that have been modified by scientific practices. These seeds present in their genome certain genes that they did not have in their natural state.
In an organism, genes can be inserted, deleted or modified: the result of this practice is a transgenic organism. The usual thing is that these changes are led to confer certain properties or qualities to the organism in question.
The transgenic seeds are modified to be resistant to various factors that could affect the development of the plant. Thanks to this type of seeds, plants resistant to insects and herbicides can be created.
The production of transgenic seeds has become a millionaire business around the world. The companies that are responsible for their generation claim that these techniques could help fight hunger as food grows more easily and is more resistant. In addition, according to their position, they contribute to the environment since, by resisting various diseases, the use of agrochemicals is not necessary.
However, not everyone agrees with the use of transgenic seeds. With regard to the vindication of hunger in the world, there are those who affirm that it would be much more effective to boost local production in developing countries by taking advantage of their native resources, which would bring more economic benefits and avoid the dependence of a third for the acquisition of seeds.
Those who condemn the use of transgenic seeds, however, warn that these seeds are patented by companies and their plants, therefore, they constitute private property. Furthermore, foods derived from transgenic seeds could cause various health problems, while crops would upset the ecological balance.
One of the strongest opponents is the traditional agricultural sector, or at least it tries to bet on the methods it considers more "natural". There are several surveys that speak of a great majority of consumers against transgenic seeds; However, this contradicts the practices that both agriculture and livestock have as fundamental pillars of their existence. The accusations of not respecting the laws of nature lose their force when they come from people who raise animals and exploit the earth with chemicals: the natural thing would be to leave the animals free and each grow their own food in a small garden.
