Why are they grown?

• Crops can be made to resist pests and diseases, so they need less insecticide which is potentially less damaging to the environment.
• Crops can be modified so they are tolerant of herbicides making weed control easier.
• Crops that need less spraying may be safer for farm workers. This could be particularly valuable in developing countries. GM maize and cotton that produce a protein to kill insect pests are already grown in several countries.
• GM crops can be made to resist drought.
• Genetic modification can give us enhanced plants, such as:
  • rice with added vitamin A
  • potatoes with more protein
  • food crops with reduced levels of allergens
  • low-flatulence beans
  • watermelons without seeds
• GM plants could also produce products such as plastics, or new vaccines and drugs. GM technology might be cheaper and cleaner than conventional chemical factories.
• GM bacteria that thrive on pollutants could help clean up soil contamination.