Science, 30 August 2024
Environmental impacts of genetically modified crops
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been widely adopted, but their environmental impacts are not well understood. Noack et al. reviewed research on the effects of GMO crops on the environment.
The most common genetic modifications to crops provide resistance to herbicides or insect pests, which can lead to changes in pesticide use and other agricultural practices such as tillage and crop rotation. These changes have downstream effects on human health, carbon cycling, and biodiversity. Increased crop yields may reduce the need for converting additional land to agriculture, but increasing crop prices may encourage agricultural expansion. More research is needed to assess the effects of GMO crop adoption on deforestation and biodiversity. —Bianca Lopez