Has genetic modification of food had a positive effect on the lives of people?

Genetic modification of food crops is done by inserting the genes of other species into their DNA, thereby improving the different properties of the food crop in question. Some of the benefits of genetic modification of food crops are listed below.
Increased productivity: Genetically modified crops have higher productivity than traditional crops. This has translated into a higher food productivity and has helped a number of poor and developing countries, minimizing the deficit between demand and supply. A higher productivity also means lower food prices for the consumers.
Reduced poverty: Increased food productivity has alleviated the economic conditions of a large number of farmers in economically backward regions of the world. It has been estimated that as many as 65 million people (including farmers and their families) have benefited from the cultivation of genetically modified crops.
Better disease resistance: The genetically modified (GM) crops have a higher resistance to the diseases as compared to conventional non-modified crops. This results in higher productivity and lesser use of chemicals for disease control. It has been estimated that the cultivation of GM crops has resulted in reduced usage of pesticides by as much as 1.2 billion pounds between 1996 and 2013.
Better drought resistance: GM crops have higher tolerance to drought conditions and this helps in food production, even during water stress or drought conditions.
Reduced environmental impact: Due to the lower chemical requirements, GM crops have a lower environmental impact as compared to the conventional crops.
In addition to these benefits, it is yet to be conclusively proved that GM crops have an adverse effect on human health; although, many still believe they are dangerous. In conclusion, it can be stated that the genetic modification of food has had a positive impact on the lives of people.

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