Amazing. GMO tech is probably the only methodology with any hope of combating the impact of that single new killer pathogen when it arises. Your grandfather must know about fungal pathogen Ug99 devastating the world wheat crop and that only about 10 percent of other wheat varieties are resistant. Question is: why isn't a mixed variety regimen a general rule? Given that it takes a long time to introduce pathogen-resistant genes into a single plant variety, dependence on single or a mostly clone stock (a general rule based on economics) could prove fatal at some point.

Although, a real problem with the current GMO tech is the diminished nutritional value of the foodstock produced relative to historic produce. But that, of course, is due in part to depleted soil.