Final answer:
GMOs are a recent innovation that involves applying agricultural biotechnology to enhance crop traits like growth, nutrition, and resistance to pests and herbicides.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) are indeed an example of recent innovation discussed in class. GMOs involve agricultural biotechnology, which includes both traditional breeding techniques and modern lab-based methods such as genetic engineering.
This advanced technology allows scientists to introduce new traits to an organism, leading to the creation of genetically engineered crops or GE crops. Genetic engineering has facilitated the development of plants with enhanced growth, nutritional profiles, and resistance to pests and herbicides.
One notable example is 'golden rice,' which has been genetically modified to produce beta-carotene. Another is 'Bt corn' that contains a gene making it resistant to specific insect pests, and 'Roundup ready' soybeans, which are resistant to a commonly used herbicide. These innovations represent modern breakthroughs in improving food security and crop management.