The idea of creating and selling hybridized corn seed began with G.H. Shull in the early 1900s. Shull was a respected geneticist that recognized the importance of corn as a cash crop. He developed "hybrid" corn varieties, grew them, determined how much each type produced in a growing season, then set out to offer his new product to farmers across the United States. Shull had no idea that his process of creating better plants through scientific experimentation would go down in history as a successful example of biotechnology at work.
Not only was the human population of the United States growing at this time, the livestock population was also increasing rapidly. Many farmers relied on corn to feed their herds as well as pay their bills. Shull's hybrid seeds had come along at the right time. Soon, private businesses and government agencies began their own research projects to develop seed corn with high yields. They also saw a need for corn varieties that were more tolerant of dry conditions, poor quality soil, and pests. Some hybrid varieties produced more corn during the years of the Dust Bowl, a drought that occurred from 1934-1940, than they did in years with normal rainfall. Of course, farmers still using traditional corn seed did not experience the same results.
Today, producers of hybrid corn seed have branched out in terms of the products they offer. When farmers order seeds, they can also purchase herbicides to remove weeds from their fields, fertilizers, and computer analysis software to track corn production. The research of G.H. Shull nearly 100 years ago has created a multi-billion dollar industry that survived and thrived despite world war and drought.
Considering information given in the passage and data found in the graph, select the response below that supports the argument that biotechnology has had a positive impact on both society and the United States' economy.
a
Shull's hybrid corn seeds created a new type of science in the United States—biotechnology. After the success of his seeds, other individuals entered the field and created their own hybrids. This caused the industry to grow and gave farmers a bigger selection of seeds from which to choose. Today, farmers can purchase everything they need for a successful corn crop from their seed distributors. The hybrid seed industry in the United States makes billions of dollars each year.
b
From 1866 to 2011, farmers produced many bushels of corn each year. They could have produced more corn if weather conditions had been favorable. The drought during the Dust Bowl was hard on farmers growing corn. Hybrid corn seeds had no effect on corn production. The impact on society and the economy were small compared with the impact of the Dust Bowl droughts.
c
Shull developed hybrid corn seed about 100 years ago. Some farmers bought the seed when it was first produced, but others did not. Farmers would have grown corn either way. Hybrid corn seed did not have an effect on corn production overall. It helped the economy by making more money for Shull and other scientists that produced hybrid corn seeds.
d
Shull's creation of hybrid corn seed allowed farmers to produce more corn consistently throughout the years. Overall, the number of bushels harvested each year trends higher, as shown in the graph, between 1918 and 2011. Increased corn production meant more income for the farmers, which allowed them to take better care of their families and farms. Hybrid seed performed, even during the Dust Bowl, when non-hybrid farmers struggled to produce corn.
d
Shull's creation of hybrid corn seed allowed farmers to produce more corn consistently throughout the years. Overall, the number of bushels harvested each year trends higher, as shown in the graph, between 1918 and 2011. Increased corn production meant more income for the farmers, which allowed them to take better care of their families and farms. Hybrid seed performed, even during the Dust Bowl, when non-hybrid farmers struggled to produce corn.
This response directly correlates the development of hybrid corn seed with increased corn production over a significant time period, evidencing a positive impact on both the agriculture industry and the US economy. It also stands out by recognizing the resilience of hybrid corn during the Dust Bowl period, further underlining the positive implications of biotechnology, related to hybrid seeds, on society, particularly for farmers who were able to produce more reliable crop yields in challenging conditions.