Humans made new kinds of plants by mixing genes, but even the new ones still have the same poisons as the old ones.
Scientific Claim
Selective breeding of plants creates novel genetic combinations but does not eliminate their inherent production of defensive phytochemicals.
Original Statement
“We have created entirely new genetic combinations. In that video, the main point I was making was about plant toxins, which are the natural chemical defenses found in fruits, vegetables, and all other plant foods.”
Context Details
Domain
botany
Population
unspecified
Subject
Selective breeding of plants
Action
preserves
Target
production of defensive phytochemicals
Intervention Details
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (2)
Scientists bred broccoli to make it grow better and taste nicer, but they didn’t stop it from making its natural protective chemicals—those are still there, even if the plant’s genes became more similar.
Even when people breed plants to make them tastier or bigger, the plants still keep their natural chemicals that protect them from bugs and disease—these chemicals are still there and might even be good for us.