How can genetically modified foods assist in elimination of the application of chemical pesticides and reduce the cost of crops?
Crop losses due to insects can result in dreadful financial loss to farmers and famine in developing countries, hence the use of pesticides. But many people do not want to eat food that has been infected with pesticides because of potential health dangers. Agricultural waste containing pesticides and fertilizers can poison the water and damage the environment. Farmers also spray herbicides to destroy weeds, since it is not cost-effective to remove weeds by physical means such as tilling. GM crops can eliminate the need for pesticides and herbicides by creating plants that can withstand weed and pathogen attacks.
