Source 4: LaPenta, D. (2020, February 21). Genetics of how corn can adapt faster to new climates. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200221160739.htm
Summary: Researchers have identified the genetic components that allow corn from tropical environments to be adapted to the temperate US summer growing season. They believe that if they can expand the genetic base by incorporating exotic varieties, they might be able to account for new challenges corn farmers are facing in a changing climate, such as emerging diseases and drought.
Response: Finally, some good news. Amidst all the concerns about not being able to grow corn in changing climates comes a way around the challenges. Introducing these genetically modified varieties of corn would not only allow for crop production to get back up to its normal level, it would set a precedent for the future. Genetically modified crops have been around for a long time, but those have mainly been made to be resistant to pests and chemicals. These crops have been adapted to grow in a wildly different climate from what they’re used to. To me, this not only implies the possibility of any crop being able to be grown anywhere in the world, but it also suggests that humans will be able to adapt to the changing climate, even if it begins to become recognizable. While this isn’t my preferred scenario, it does give me some assurance that we won’t simply die out.
Yes this does bring some good news that we can make crops that can adapt to new environments. This doesn’t mean we won’t die out though because we can be killed off in a number of other ways. Like a pandemic…
I definitely see some potential in developing a new way to get corn to adapt to new environments but it will not fix the whole problem. This may only last for a short period of time then we will need to come up with another idea to keep the corn from a shortage.
Do you think there will ever be a long term solution?