Final answer:
Pest-resistant crops are genetically engineered to resist pests, reducing the need for harmful chemical pesticides.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many crops are now being engineered for increased resistance to pests and are commonly referred to as pest-resistant crops. These modifications aim to enhance crop durability and reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides, which can be harmful to the environment. By incorporating genetic engineering techniques, scientists have introduced genes, such as those from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), to produce insecticidal proteins. The use of Bt in agriculture has led to a significant reduction in the volume of insecticide needed, benefiting the environment by decreasing the amount of chemicals that potentially contaminate groundwater. Furthermore, transgenic crops have been developed to exhibit various beneficial traits, such as drought resistance, herbicide resistance, and even enhanced nutritional profiles.
In addition to pest resistance, transgenic techniques have been used to create crops with other advantageous features, such as a purple tomato engineered to contain cancer-fighting compounds. Overall, the use of transgenic or genetically modified crops (GM crops) represents a significant advancement in agricultural science and technology, aiming to improve food security, reduce environmental impact, and offer health benefits.