Benefits and Risks of Genetic Technology

Genetic technology — including genetic engineering and gene therapy — has enormous potential to improve human lives. However, it also raises significant concerns. In this lesson we evaluate the benefits, risks and ethical issues surrounding genetic technology.

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Benefits of GM Crops

Genetically modified (GM) crops have been grown commercially since the mid-1990s. They offer several advantages:

1. Higher Yields

GM crops can be engineered to grow faster, produce more grain or fruit, or be more efficient at photosynthesis. This helps feed a growing world population.

2. Pest Resistance

Bt crops produce their own insecticidal protein, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

Benefit	Explanation
Less pesticide use	Reduces costs for farmers and exposure to chemicals
Less environmental damage	Fewer chemicals entering waterways and soil
Higher crop survival	Fewer plants lost to insect damage

3. Herbicide Tolerance

Some GM crops are engineered to tolerate specific herbicides (e.g., glyphosate-tolerant soybean). Farmers can spray the herbicide to kill weeds without harming the crop. This simplifies weed management.

4. Nutritional Enhancement