Policy Issues in Genetically Modified Crops – Chapter 7: Genetically Modified Crops Changing the Food Insecurity Landscape of Undernourished Regions of the World

Elsevier, Policy Issues in Genetically Modified Crops, A Global Perspective, 2021, Pages 143-160
Authors: 
Saurabh Verma, Sangeeta Saxenaa

The global reduction in crop yield and production is a leading cause of global food insecurity and it could eventually result in an unsustainable future. The Genetically Modified (GM) crops have been introduced with specific traits that could help farmers in achieving the productivity targets and prevention from various biotic and abiotic stresses. Thus, GM crops have the potential to alleviate global food insecurity. However, the ethical concerns related to GM crops are hampering their global acceptance. The "clean gene technologies" is a promising approach to produce safe crops and have potential to provide the required thrust and motivation for global acceptance of GM crops. Therefore, keeping in mind the food and energy crisis posing a threat to the global sustainability, the option to cultivate and propagate GM crops seem to be the best alternative for human beings. In this chapter, we have tried to appreciate the significance of the GM crops to help save our undernourished and hungry population from food insecurity.