Genetically Modified Crops Combating Climate Change and Environmental Protection

Abstract

Genetically modified crops play a significant role in combating climate change by providing resistance to biotic and abiotic stress factors. These crops possess traits such as herbicide tolerance, antibiotic resistance, insect resistance, and drought stress tolerance. These features have increased the productivity of many agricultural products, such as alfalfa, canola, cotton, corn, potatoes, rice, and soybeans, which are commercially used. Climate change, caused by the increase in greenhouse gases, leads to temperature changes worldwide and negatively affects agricultural production. Food security is threatened by increased bacterial production at high temperatures and irregular rainfall patterns due to climate change. In this situation, alternative solutions in agricultural activities should be sought. Genetically modified crops stand out as an effective tool for adapting to climate change and protecting the environment due to their resistance to environmental stress factors. Many countries, such as the United States, Argentina, Brazil, and Canada, permit the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crop varieties and emphasize that the approval for the release of these crops should not be delayed. Although some countries, like those in the European Union, still follow these concerns seriously and have banned the cultivation and human consumption of these products, they allow limited access for use as animal feed. Undoubtedly, with the use of these technologies, agricultural productivity and food security can be enhanced. However, socioeconomic impacts and issues such as food supply security should also be given necessary importance, and legal guarantees should be provided. The acceptance and widespread adoption of genetically modified crops, with their benefits and potential risks, is now an inevitable fact as they are the strongest candidates to address the global food problems caused by climate change. Moreover, as the impact of climate change becomes more pronounced with each passing day, the adoption of new technologies in agricultural production and the promotion of environmentally friendly, economical, accessible, and soil-appropriate alternative solutions should be encouraged. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.