What does genetic engineering aim to achieve in crops?

Genetic engineering in crops specifically aims to modify certain traits to enhance their performance, such as improving resistance to pests and diseases, increasing yield, enhancing nutritional content, and enabling crops to withstand environmental stresses like drought or extreme temperatures. By utilizing techniques such as gene editing and transgenic approaches, scientists can introduce or adjust specific genes responsible for desirable traits, leading to more efficient and productive agricultural practices.

For example, a genetically modified crop may be engineered to express a protein that protects it from a particular pest, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and promoting sustainable agriculture. These advancements contribute to food security and address challenges posed by climate change and growing global populations. In contrast, maintaining all natural traits would limit the potential benefits of biotechnology, and eliminating traditional farming practices is not a primary goal of genetic engineering. Additionally, increasing crop failures contradicts the overarching aim of improving agricultural productivity and food supply.