- Balanced regulation and public engagement are essential for sustainable, equitable use of GM technology
Food security is a fundamental human right, defined by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as the condition where all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. In essence, it encompasses availability, access, utilization, and stability of food supplies. However, in 2025, this ideal remains elusive for millions worldwide.
According to the FAO’s State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025 report, approximately 673 million people i.e. about 8.2% of the global population — experienced hunger in 2024, a slight decline from 2023 but still alarmingly high compared to pre-pandemic levels. This figure represents a complex interplay of factors including climate change, conflict, economic instability, and population growth, which strains agricultural systems already pushed to their limits.
The World Bank’s Food Security Update highlights that agricultural prices have risen, with cereal indices up by 4% since mid-2025, exacerbating affordability issues in low-income regions. Regions like sub-Saharan Africa and western Asia have seen rises in hunger, with the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2025 estimating over 295 million people in acute hunger across 53 countries—an increase of 13.7 million from the previous year. Moderate or severe food insecurity affects about 2.3 billion people, 336 million more than in 2019. These statistics underscore a grim reality: despite producing enough food globally to feed 8.2 billion people, distribution inequalities and production inefficiencies perpetuate malnutrition and starvation.
Enter genetically modified (GM) crops, a technology that has sparked both hope and controversy since its inception. GM crops are plants whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to introduce desirable traits, such as pest resistance or enhanced nutrition. Proponents argue that GM crops can bolster food security by increasing yields, reducing losses, and adapting to environmental stresses. For instance, the National Geographic Society notes that GM modifications can improve crop resilience to droughts and pests, potentially addressing world hunger. However, critics raise concerns about long-term health effects, environmental impacts, and socioeconomic dependencies.
This article explores the intersection of food security and GM crops, tracing their history, assessing current benefits and risks, examining regulatory frameworks, and peering into the future with emerging technologies like CRISPR. By balancing scientific evidence with global perspectives, it aims to illuminate whether GM crops represent a sustainable path forward or a precarious gamble in the quest for global food security.
The story of genetically modified crops begins not in modern laboratories but in ancient fields. Humans have manipulated plant genetics for millennia through selective breeding and cross-pollination. Around 8000 BCE, early farmers in Southwest Asia domesticated wild grains by choosing plants with larger seeds or better yields, laying the foundation for agriculture. This traditional modification evolved over centuries, with techniques like grafting and hybridization becoming commonplace by the 19th century.
The leap to modern genetic engineering occurred in the 20th century, driven by breakthroughs in molecular biology. In 1944, scientists discovered that genetic material could be transferred between organisms, paving the way for recombinant DNA technology. The pivotal moment came in 1973 when biochemists Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen successfully inserted DNA from one bacterium into another, creating the first genetically modified organism (GMO). This technique was soon applied to plants.
By the 1980s, advances allowed for the insertion of foreign genes into crops. The first GM plant, a tobacco resistant to antibiotics, was developed in 1983. Commercialization followed in the 1990s: In 1994, the Flavr Savr tomato, engineered for longer shelf life, became the first GM food approved for sale in the U.S. That same decade saw the introduction of landmark crops like Bt cotton and Roundup Ready soybeans, designed for pest resistance and herbicide tolerance, respectively.
The adoption of GM crops exploded globally. By 2013, GM canola comprised 95% of U.S. plantings, and GM sugar beets 99.9%. In developing nations, GM technology targeted local challenges; for example, Bt cotton in India reduced pesticide use and boosted yields. However, this rapid growth fueled debates. Early corporations like Monsanto dominated the market, leading to accusations of monopolistic practices.
The 21st century introduced precision tools like CRISPR-Cas9 in 2012, enabling gene editing without foreign DNA insertion, blurring lines between GM and conventional breeding. By 2025, GM crops cover over 190 million hectares worldwide, primarily in the Americas, Asia, and Africa. This history reflects humanity’s ongoing quest to harness genetics for survival, evolving from rudimentary selection to sophisticated engineering, all in pursuit of feeding a growing world.
In 2025, food security remains a pressing global crisis, exacerbated by interconnected challenges. The FAO’s SOFI 2025 reveals that while global hunger dipped slightly to 673 million in 2024, progress is uneven. Africa and western Asia saw increases, with conflict and climate extremes driving acute food crises. The GRFC 2025 warns of potential cuts in humanitarian aid, risking a 45% drop in food sector allocations and disrupting nutrition services for 14 million people.
Economic factors compound the issue: Rising food prices, as tracked by the Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard, make healthy diets unaffordable for billions. Concern Worldwide estimates one in 11 people goes hungry daily, despite sufficient global production. Malnutrition manifests in multiple forms: undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity, affecting 2.6 billion with moderate or severe food insecurity.
Climate change intensifies vulnerabilities, with droughts and floods reducing yields in key regions. Population growth to 8.2 billion strains resources, while geopolitical tensions disrupt supply chains. In sub-Saharan Africa, where GM adoption is growing, food insecurity impacts over 20% of the population. These dynamics highlight the urgent need for innovative solutions like GM crops to enhance resilience and productivity.
GM crops offer substantial advantages in addressing food security. Primarily, they increase yields and reduce losses. Bt cotton in India, for instance, reduced food insecurity by 15-20% among adopting households from 2004-2008 by boosting incomes and production. Similarly, GM maize in Guangxi, China, improved yields while conserving water.
Nutritional enhancement is another key benefit. Golden Rice, fortified with vitamin A, combats blindness in rice-dependent regions. Biofortified crops like iron-rich beans address micronutrient deficiencies, potentially treating diseases like anemia.
Environmental resilience is crucial amid climate change. Drought-tolerant GM maize maintains yields under stress, while pest-resistant varieties like Bt crops reduce pesticide use by up to 37% globally. This lowers costs and environmental impact, preserving biodiversity.
Socioeconomic gains include higher farmer incomes and reduced malnutrition. In India, GM cotton adoption improved family welfare. Overall, GM crops could triple yields in specific cultivars, aiding sustainability. Case studies from Australia and India demonstrate mitigated agricultural problems, enhancing economic status.
However, benefits depend on equitable access and integration with sustainable practices.
Despite benefits, GM crops face significant controversies. Health concerns include potential allergies, antibiotic resistance, and toxicity, though scientific consensus from bodies like WHO affirms no greater risk than conventional foods. No validated evidence links GMOs to human harm.
Environmental risks involve biodiversity loss from cross-pollination and super-weed emergence due to herbicide overuse. Glyphosate-linked crops may degrade soil and increase pesticide resistance.
Socioeconomic issues center on seed patents, forcing farmers into dependency. In Nigeria, violence against GM-adopting farmers highlights social tensions. Critics argue GM erodes food sovereignty, as seen in Kenya’s GMO ban lift concerns.
Public distrust stems from corporate dominance and labeling debates. While risks exist, ongoing studies suggest they are manageable with regulation.
Global regulation of GM crops varies. The U.S. employs a risk-based approach under the Coordinated Framework, focusing on product safety. The EU’s precautionary principle mandates strict assessments and labeling. China emphasizes biosafety, Brazil balances commercialization with safety.
In Africa, frameworks like Nigeria’s enable precautionary use. Gene editing like CRISPR prompts adaptations, with countries like the UK easing rules. Harmonization is needed to facilitate trade and innovation.
The future of GM crops lies in gene editing technologies like CRISPR, enabling precise modifications for disease resistance and sustainability. By 2025, CRISPR-edited wheat reduces fertilizer needs, addressing environmental concerns. Applications in livestock and microbes promise broader impacts.
AI tools like CRISPR-GPT automate editing, accelerating development. However, ethical and regulatory challenges persist, with calls for inclusive policies.
GM crops hold promise for enhancing food security but require careful navigation of risks. Balanced regulation and public engagement will determine their role in a sustainable future.
The author, Nazir Ahmed Shaikh, is a freelance writer, columnist, blogger, and motivational speaker. He writes articles on diversified topics. He can be reached at sir.nazir.shaikh@gmail.com