Genetic engineering in agriculture has become a very controversial topic in recent years, although it is beneficial to both the consumer and the producer. The use of genetic engineering is considered a highly controversial topic due to environmental groups speaking out against the use of genetically modified products in industry and the consumer market. Genetic engineering in agriculture has the potential to change the industry worldwide. Increasing the production of these genetically modified varieties can be used to solve many of the problems the world is beginning to face today. They can be used to solve our problems associated with the growing population of our world in the coming years, helping to feed the world economically and preserving nature through increasing yield per acre or animal. Many of the varieties that are developed for their use as crops and foods can also be adopted for the biofuel industry to solve the world's growing dependence on fossil fuels. The ability to use biotechnology to cross-breed different life forms has had a profound impact on agriculture around the world. The two main reasons for using genetic engineering in plants are to develop traits for herbicide tolerance and to make plants produce natural pesticides. One of the first genetically modified crops to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was the Flavr-Savr tomato in 1994 (Parmalee 47). The Flavr-Savr tomato uses genetic engineering to add a gene that would slow the breakdown of cell walls once harvested so they stay firmer for longer on supermarket shelves.The benefits available in the us..... .middle of paper......the United States. April 2006: i-30. SIRS Government Reporter. Network. April 16, 2014. Gottlieb, Scott and Matthew B. Wheeler. "Genetically modified animals and public health | BIO." ORGANIC | Healing, feeding and nourishing the world. BIO, July 28, 2011. Web. March 31, 2014.Mather, Robin. "Threats from genetically modified foods." News from Mother Earth. April/May 2012: 42+. SIRS Problem Researcher. Network. April 16, 2014.Parmalee, Thomas. Genetic engineering. Edina, Minnesota: ABDO, 2008. Print.Prah, Pamela M. “Many States Weigh GMO Labels.” stateline.org. 17 March 2014: np SIRS Issues Researcher. Network. April 15, 2014.Thro, Ellen. Genetic engineering shapes the stuff of life. New York: Facts about File Science Sourcebooks, 1993. Print.Van Montagu, Marc. “The Irrational Fear of Genetically Modified Foods.” Wall Street Journal. 23 October 2013: A.15. SIRS Problem Researcher. Network. April 15. 2014.