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Early method of making virus-resistant crops:

A)Gene editing with CRISPR
B)Hybridization with wild relatives
C)Chemical treatment of seeds
D)Mutation breeding techniques

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The early method of creating virus-resistant crops involved mutation breeding techniques, which is different from modern genetic engineering methods like CRISPR.

Step-by-step explanation:

The early method of making virus-resistant crops was mutation breeding techniques. This traditional technique involved treating seeds with chemicals or radiation to create genetic variability. Although many seeds did not survive or developed unfavorable features, some exhibited desirable traits. These could then be crossbred with other varieties to introduce beneficial features. This contrasts with modern genetic engineering methods, such as CRISPR gene editing, which allow for more specific alterations at the DNA level, e.g., making plants resistant to herbicides or pests.