Most people tend to think of a set of fingerprints as a human characteristic, however years ago scientists started applying the term "genetic fingerprinting" to crops as well. Like humans, crops are considered living organisms and as is also the case in humans, the "fingerprints" can provide valuable information about that crop.

Fingerprints in humans are an identifying characteristic, something that is unique to each person. Similarly, though nearly all human DNA sequences are the same in every person, the DNA is different enough in each one of us to distinguish us from others, hence the phrase "genetic fingerprinting." Still with me?

In terms of food, genetic fingerprinting is used to examine DNA and identify and study the specific traits of crops, thus allowing scientists to select the most desirable and beneficial characteristics for plant breeding (This shouldn't be confused with full genome sequencing, which determines an organism's entire DNA sequence). In the recent case of assessing the genetic fingerprint of rice, researchers can conduct diversity analysis to determine genetic similarities and differences, which allows them to select the best traits of the rice and transfer these when breeding other varieties of the crop. In the end, they hope to find the most robust varieties of rice that provide the most significant yield in diverse growing conditions.

Using genetic fingerprinting as a way to identify the best methods of growing crops is just another way science and technology are being used to further improve the condition of the world's food supply, just as Jeff Simmons predicted would be necessary if we don't want the world to face a food crisis of biblical proportions in the future.

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