Genetic engineering as well as biotechnology and genetic modification are all commonly used to refer to the artificial insertion of genes from one organism into another, resulting in the creation of a transgenic or genetically modified organism. The technology allows a selected characteristic or trait of one organism to be added to another. This could be of significant benefit to farmers. Apart from resistance to insect pests, it could create drought resistant crop varieties, which would therefore not require the expense of irrigation. However, in practice there are significant concerns about the risks involved in using GMOs in general. There is also a question of ownership and control of the technology and its effect on the environment, health and small farmers.

The planting of pest-resistant crops might quickly lead to a new variety of "super-bugs" which are themselves resistant to the toxins added to the crop, or even to creation of "superweeds", leading to the use of more and more harmful herbicides. On the...