Agricultural biotechnology is a science that includes both traditional plant breeding and genetic engineering techniques to develop, modify, or improve living organisms such as plants, animals and microorganisms. Agricultural biotechnology is a process which allows a specific gene to be moved from one organism into another to develop a desired product. For example, researchers are able to take a gene with a specific trait, such as taste or hardiness from one plant and move it to another. Worldwide, agricultural biotechnology/genetic engineering is a controversial issue, which has generated interest in understanding the benefits and possible negative effects to the food supply and the environment. "It is important to recognize that we have been genetically modifying the food supply for thousands of years," wrote food scientist Susan Harlander. Today, there are more than 109 million acres of biotech crops being planted. The United States produces more than two-thirds of these biotech crops. "Approximately, 50 biotech crops are approved for sale in the United States and Canada, and three are approved in Mexico. The list includes enhanced soybeans, cotton, corn, canola, cantaloupe, papaya, potato, squash, sugar beets and tomatoes." Most of these crops have been enhanced by becoming herbicide tolerant, pest resistant, virus resistant, and stacked trait crops combine these traits together.
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