Abstract
The overall aim of sustainable development is to facilitate economic growth strategies that do not cause long-term environmental damage. To achieve this, a number of goals must be realized, including food security to prevent hunger. Globally, food security is threatened by climate change, for example global warming. Recently, green biotechnology has attracted considerable interest, as it offers techniques that could ensure food security despite the devastating consequences of climate change, such as droughts and floods. However, applying green biotechnology to agriculture and food production also poses some potential health risks and environmental hazards. This review examines the potential of green biotechnology as a possible solution to food insecurity resulting from climate change. It summarizes the pros and cons of green biotechnology with respect to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The review concludes that despite the economic advantages of green biotechnology, especially its capacity to enhance crop productivity and resistance to pests, some aspects of green biotechnology do not permit sustainable agricultural and medical development due to their risks to life on land or to human health and wellbeing.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- Bt:
-
Bacillus thuringiensis
- CO2 :
-
Carbon dioxide
- DNA:
-
Deoxyribonucleic acid
- DRo1:
-
Deeper Rooting 1
- EPA:
-
Environmental Protection Agency
- FDA:
-
Food and Drug Administration
- GFP:
-
Green fluorescent protein
- GI:
-
Genetically improved
- GM:
-
Genetically modified
- GNA:
-
Galanthus nivalis agglutinin
- HIV-1:
-
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1
- IGF-1:
-
Insulin-like growth factor 1
- IPR:
-
Intellectual property rights
- NSAIDs:
-
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- pH:
-
Potential of hydrogen
- Ppm:
-
Parts per million
- RNA:
-
Ribonucleic acid
- SDGs:
-
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- USDA:
-
United States Department of Agriculture
- WHO:
-
World Health Organization
- WTO:
-
World Trade Organization
References
Aerni P (2019) Politicizing the precautionary principle: why disregarding facts should not pass for farsightedness. Fron Plant Sci 10:1053. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.01053
Alberts JF, van Zyl WH, Gelderblom WCA (2016) Biologically based methods for control of fumonisin-producing Fusarium species and reduction of the fumonisins. Front Microbiol 7:548. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2016.00548
Aldemita RR, Reaño IME, Solis RO, Hautea RA (2015) Trends in global approvals of biotech crops (1992–2014). GM Crops Food 6:150–166. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645698.2015.1056972
Amarakoon II, Hamilton CL, Mitchell SA et al (2017) Biotechnology. In: Badal S, Delgoda R (eds) Pharmacognosy: fundamentals, applications and strategy. Academic, London, pp 549–563. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-802104-0.00028-7
Barcelos MCS, Lupki FB, Campolina GA et al (2018) The colors of biotechnology: general overview and developments of white, green and blue areas. FEMS Microbiol Lett. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fny239
Batista R, Oliveira MM (2009) Facts and fiction of genetically engineered food. Trends Biotechnol 27:277–286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2009.01.005
Bawa AS, Anilakumar KR (2013) Genetically modified foods: safety, risks and public concerns—a review. J Food Sci Technol 50:1035–1046. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-012-0899-1
Ben Y, Fu C, Hu M et al (2019) Human health risk assessment of antibiotic resistance associated with antibiotic residues in the environment: a review. Environ Res 169:483–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.11.040
Bernstein JA, Bernstein IL, Bucchini L et al (2003) Clinical and laboratory investigation of allergy to genetically modified foods. Environ Health Perspect 111:1114–1121. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.5811
Bogner A, Torgersen H (2018) Precaution, responsible innovation and beyond-in search of a sustainable agricultural biotechnology policy. Front Plant Sci 9:1884. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01884
Borges BJP, Arantes OMN, Fernandes AAR et al (2018) Genetically modified labeling policies: moving forward or backward? Front Bioeng Biotechnol 6:181. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2018.00181
Brookes G, Barfoot P (2014) Economic impact of GM crops: the global income and production effects 1996–2012. GM Crops Food 5:65–75. https://doi.org/10.4161/gmcr.28098
Brookes G, Barfoot P (2015) Environmental impacts of genetically modified (GM) crop use 1996–2013: impacts on pesticide use and carbon emissions. GM Crops Food 6:103–133. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645698.2015.1025193
Brookes G, Barfoot P (2016) Global income and production impacts of using GM crop technology 1996–2014. GM Crops Food 7:38–77. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645698.2016.1176817
Carlson R (2016) Estimating the biotech sector’s contribution to the US economy. Nat Biotechnol 34:247–255. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.3491
Castle S, Palumbo J, Prabhaker N (2009) Newer insecticides for plant virus disease management. Virus Res 141:131–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2008.12.006
Cheneval E, Busque MA, Ostiguy C et al (2016) Green jobs: definition and method of appraisal of chemical and biological risks. Ann Occup Hyg 60:290–304. https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/mev089
Conway G (2000) Genetically modified crops: risks and promise. Conserv Ecol 4:2. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-00157-040102
D’Agnolo G (2005) GMO: human health risk assessment. Vet Res Commun 29:7–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-005-0003-7
Dahms AS (2004) Biotechnology: what it is, what it is not, and the challenges in reaching a national or global consensus. Biochem Mol Biol Educ 32:271–278. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.2004.494032040375
Damude HG, Kinney AJ (2008) Enhancing plant seed oils for human nutrition. Plant Physiol 147:962–968. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.108.121681
de Vendômois JS, Roullier F, Cellier D, Séralini GE (2009) A comparison of the effects of three GM corn varieties on mammalian health. Int J Biol Sci 5:706–726. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.5.706
de Vendômois JS, Cellier D, Vélot C et al (2010) Debate on GMOs health risks after statistical findings in regulatory tests. Int J Biol Sci 6:590–598
De Jesus Raposo MF, De Morais RMSC, De Morais AMMB (2013) Health applications of bioactive compounds from marine microalgae. Life Sci 93:479–486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2013.08.002
De La Fuente JM, Ramírez-Rodríguez V, Cabrera-Ponce JL, Herrera-Estrella L (1997) Aluminum tolerance in transgenic plants by alteration of citrate synthesis. Science 276:1566–1568. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.276.5318.1566
Debnath K (2013) Book review: Conway, Gordon, 2012. One Billion Hungry: Can We Feed the World? Cornell University Press, ISBN 0-8014-7802-2, pp. 456. J Agric Econ 64:738–740. https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-9552.12029
Dembe AE, Raffensperger C, Tickner J (2001) Protecting public health and the environment: implementing the precautionary principle. J Public Health Policy 22:236. https://doi.org/10.2307/3343463
Díaz S, Fargione J, Chapin FS, Tilman D (2006) Biodiversity loss threatens human well-being. PLoS Biol 4:1300–1305. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0040277
Domingo JL (2007) Toxicity studies of genetically modified plants: a review of the published literature. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 47:721–733. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408390601177670
Dookun A (2001) Agricultural biotechnology in developing countries. Biotechnol Ann Rev 7:261–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1387-2656(01)07040-5
Ebi KL, Ziska LH (2018) Increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide: anticipated negative effects on food quality. PLoS Med 15:e1002600. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002600
Engel KH, Frenzel T, Miller A (2002) Current and future benefits from the use of GM technology in food production. Toxicol Lett 127(1–3):329–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4274(01)00516-1
Ervin DE, Glenna LL, Jussaume RA Jr (2010) Are biotechnology and sustainable agriculture compatible? Renew Agric Food Syst 25:143–157
Ewen SWB, Pusztai A (1999) Effect of diets containing genetically modified potatoes expressing Galanthus nivalis lectin on rat small intestine. Lancet 354(9187):1353–1354. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(98)05860-7
Fahad S, Bajwa AA, Nazir U et al (2017) Crop production under drought and heat stress: plant responses and management options. Front Plant Sci 8:1147. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01147
Fahy D, Scheer B, Wallis JG, Browse J (2013) Reducing saturated fatty acids in Arabidopsis seeds by expression of a Caenorhabditis elegans 16:0-specific desaturase. Plant Biotechnol J 11:480–489. https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.12034
Fares NH, El-Sayed AK (1998) Fine structural changes in the ileum of mice fed on δ endotoxin-treated potatoes and transgenic potatoes. Nat Toxins 6:219–233. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1522-7189(199811/12)6:6%3c219::AID-NT30%3e3.0.CO;2-K
Froshauer S (2017) Careers at biotech start-ups and in entrepreneurship. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a032938
Gartland KMA, Gartland JS (2016) Green biotechnology for food security in climate change. Ref Module Food Sci. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-08-100596-5.03071-7
Gayen D, Paul S, Sarkar SN et al (2016) Comparative nutritional compositions and proteomics analysis of transgenic Xa21 rice seeds compared to conventional rice. Food Chem 203:301–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.02.058
Giraldo PA, Shinozuka H, Spangenberg GC et al (2019) Safety assessment of genetically modified feed: is there any difference from food? Front Plant Sci 10:1592. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.01592
Gornall J, Betts R, Burke E et al (2010) Implications of climate change for agricultural productivity in the early twenty-first century. Philos Trans R Soc B Biol Sci 365:2973–2989. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0158
Greene C, Smith K (2010) Can genetically engineered and organic crops coexist. Choices 2:49–61
Griscom BW, Adams J, Ellis PW et al (2017) Natural climate solutions. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 114:11645–11650. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1710465114
Gustafson S (2020) Global report on food crises: 135 million in 55 countries faced acute hunger in 2019. Int Food Policy Res Inst. https://www.ifpri.org/blog/global-report-food-crises-135-million-55-countries-faced-acute-hunger-2019#:~:text=An%20estimated%20135%20million%20people,118%20million%20in%2053%20countries.
Haas T, Kircher M, Köhler T et al (2009) White biotechnology. In: Hofer R (ed) Sustainable solutions for modern economies. Royal Society of Chemistry, London, pp 436–478. https://doi.org/10.1142/9781848162310_0017
Hails RS (2000) Genetically modified plants—the debate continues. Trends Ecol Evol 15:14–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(99)01751-6
Hao B, Xue Q, Marek TH et al (2015) Soil water extraction, water use, and grain yield by drought-tolerant maize on the Texas High Plains. Agric Water Manag 155:11–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2015.03.007
Huang K (2017) Safety assessment of genetically modified foods. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3488-6
Kamle M, Kumar P, Patra JK, Bajpai VK (2017) Current perspectives on genetically modified crops and detection methods. 3 Biotech 7:219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-017-0809-3
Key S, Ma JKC, Drake PMW (2008) Genetically modified plants and human health. J R Soc Med 101:290–298. https://doi.org/10.1258/jrsm.2008.070372
Khan FA (2019) Medical biotechnology. In: Biotechnology fundamentals. CRC, Boca Raton. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315370767-9
Kishore GM, Shewmaker C (1999) Biotechnology: enhancing human nutrition in developing and developed worlds. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 96:5968–5972. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.96.11.5968
Korenblit J (2006) Biotechnology innovations in developing nations. Biotechnol Healthcare 3(1):55–558
Koźmińska A, Wiszniewska A, Hanus-Fajerska E, Muszyńska E (2018) Recent strategies of increasing metal tolerance and phytoremediation potential using genetic transformation of plants. Plant Biotechnol Rep 12:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11816-017-0467-2
Kramkowska M, Grzelak T, Czyzewska K (2013) Benefits and risks associated with genetically modified food products. Ann Agric Environ Med 20(3):413–419
Ladics GS, Cressman RF, Herouet-Guicheney C et al (2011) Bioinformatics and the allergy assessment of agricultural biotechnology products: industry practices and recommendations. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 60:46–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2011.02.004
Lake IR, Hooper L, Abdelhamid A et al (2012) Climate change and food security: health impacts in developed countries. Environ Health Perspect 120:1520–1526. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104424
Lam SK, Ng TB (2011) Lectins: production and practical applications. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 89:45–55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-010-2892-9
Laursen L (2010) How green biotech turned white and blue. Nat Biotechnol 28:393–395. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0510-393
Levasseur W, Perré P, Pozzobon V (2020) A review of high value-added molecules production by microalgae in light of the classification. Biotechnol Adv 41:107545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107545
Li Y, Piao J, Zhuo Q et al (2004) Study on the teratogenicity effects of genetically modified rice with Xa21 on rats. J Hyg Res 33:710–712
Liu Q, Hallerman E, Peng Y, Li Y (2016) Development of Bt rice and Bt maize in China and their efficacy in target pest control. Int J Mol Sci 17(10):1561. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17101561
Lorenz P, Zinke H (2005) White biotechnology: differences in US and EU approaches? Trends Biotechnol 23:570–574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2005.10.003
Ludwig Y, Slamet-Loedin IH (2019) Genetic biofortification to enrich rice and wheat grain iron: from genes to product. Front Plant Sci 10:833. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.00833
Mathews JA, Kruger L, Wentink GJ (2018) Climate-smart agriculture for sustainable agricultural sectors: the case of Mooifontein. Jamba: J Disaster Risk Stud 10:492. https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v10i1.492
Mayer S, Stirling A (2002) Finding a precautionary approach to technological developments—lessons for the evaluation of GM crops. J Agric Environ Ethics 15:57–71. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013866125341
Mazur BJ (2001) Developing transgenic grains with improved oils, proteins and carbohydrates. Novartis Found Symp 236:233–241. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470515778.ch17
Menhas R, Umer S, Shabbir G (2016) Climate change and its impact on food and nutrition security in Pakistan. Iran J Public Health 45:549–550
Mensah J (2019) Sustainable development: meaning, history, principles, pillars, and implications for human action: literature review. Cogent Soc Sci 5:1653531. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2019.1653531
Metcalfe DD (2003) Introduction: what are the issues in addressing the allergenic potential of genetically modified foods? Environ Health Perspect 111:1110–1113. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.5810
Mfutso-Bengo JM, Muula AS (2007) Potential benefits and harm of biotechnology in developing countries: the ethics and social dimensions. Afr J Med Med Sci 36(Suppl):63–67
Morton S, Pencheon D, Squires N (2017) Sustainable development goals (SDGs), and their implementation: a national global framework for health, development and equity needs a systems approach at every level. Br Med Bull 124:81–90. https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldx031
Mtui GYS (2011) Involvement of biotechnology in climate change adaptation and mitigation: improving agricultural yield and food security. Int J Biotechnol Mol Biol Res. https://doi.org/10.5897/ijbmbrx11.003
Muñoz-Amatriaín M, Lonardi S, Luo M et al (2015) Sequencing of 15 622 gene-bearing BACs clarifies the gene-dense regions of the barley genome. Plant J 84:216–227. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.12959
Murray PM, Moane S, Collins C et al (2013) Sustainable production of biologically active molecules of marine based origin. New Biotechnol 30:839–850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbt.2013.03.006
Najafi M, Lee B (2014) Biotechnology and its impact on food security and safety. Curr Nutr Food Sci 10:94–99. https://doi.org/10.2174/1573401310666140306225243
Nicholson GM (2007) Fighting the global pest problem: preface to the special Toxicon issue on insecticidal toxins and their potential for insect pest control. Toxicon 49:413–422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2006.11.028
Paine JA, Shipton CA, Chaggar S et al (2005) Improving the nutritional value of Golden Rice through increased pro-vitamin A content. Nat Biotechnol 23:482–487. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt1082
Pingali PL (2012) Green revolution: impacts, limits, andthe path ahead. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 109:12302–12308. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0912953109
Platais KW, Collinson MP (1992) Biotechnology and the developing world. Finding ways to bridge the agricultural technology gap. Financ Dev 29:34–36
Poppy GM (2004) Geneflow from GM plants —towards a more quantitative risk assessment. Trends Biotechnol 22:436–438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2004.07.005
Poulsen M, Kroghsbo S, Schrøder M et al (2007) A 90-day safety study in Wistar rats fed genetically modified rice expressing snowdrop lectin Galanthus nivalis (GNA). Food Chem Toxicol 45:350–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2006.09.002
Pretty J, Bharucha ZP (2014) Sustainable intensification in agricultural systems. Ann Bot 114:1571–1596. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcu205
Pretty J, Toulmin C, Williams S (2011) Sustainable intensification in African agriculture. Int J Agric Sustain 9:5–24. https://doi.org/10.3763/ijas.2010.0583
Pusztai A, Bardocz S, Ewen SWB (2009) Genetically modified foods: potential human health effects. In: D’Mello JPF (ed) Food safety: contaminants and toxins. CABI, Wallingford, p 347 https://doi.org/10.1079/9780851996073.0347
Qaim M (2009) The economics of genetically modified crops. Ann Rev Res Econ 1:665–694. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.resource.050708.144203
Qaim M (2017) Globalisation of agrifood systems and sustainable nutrition. Proc Nutr Soc 76:12–21. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665116000598
Raman R (2017) The impact of genetically modified (GM) crops in modern agriculture: a review. GM Crops Food 8:195–208. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645698.2017.1413522
Ramos JL, García-Lorente F, Valdivia M, Duque E (2017) Green biofuels and bioproducts: bases for sustainability analysis. Microb Biotechnol 10:1111–1113. https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.12768
Redclift MR (2006) Sustainable development (1987–2005): an oxymoron comes of age. Horiz Antropol 12:65–84. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-71832006000100004
Ribeiro BD, Coelho MAZ, Machado De Castro A (2016) Principles of green chemistry and white biotechnology. In: Coelho MAZ, Ribeiro BD (eds) White biotechnology for sustainable chemistry. Royal Society of Chemistry, London, pp 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1039/9781782624080-00001
Ricci PF, Zhang J (2011) Benefits and limitations of the precautionary principle. Encycl Environ Health 276–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-52272-6.00230-0
Richards HA, Han CT, Hopkins RG et al (2003) Safety assessment of recombinant green fluorescent protein orally administered to weaned rats. J Nutr 133:1909–1912. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/133.6.1909
Robbins P (2014) Rio declaration on environment and development. Encycl Environ Soc 1512–1514. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412953924.n921
Schellekens H (1999) Health risks of genetically modified foods. Lancet 354:70–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(05)75334-4
Schenberg ACG (2010) Biotecnologia e desenvolvimento sustentável. Estudos Avancados 24:7–17. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-40142010000300002
Schuler TH, Poppy GM, Kerry BR, Denholm I (1998) Insect-resistant transgenic plants. Trends Biotechnol 16:168–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-7799(97)01171-2
Schütte G, Eckerstorfer M, Rastelli V et al (2017) Herbicide resistance and biodiversity: agronomic and environmental aspects of genetically modified herbicide-resistant plants. Environ Sci Eur 29:5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-016-0100-y
Séralini GE, Cellier D, De Vendomois JS (2007) New analysis of a rat feeding study with a genetically modified maize reveals signs of hepatorenal toxicity. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 52:596–602. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-006-0149-5
Singh OV, Ghai S, Paul D, Jain RK (2006) Genetically modified crops: success, safety assessment, and public concern. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 71:598–607. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-006-0449-8
Smith P, Martino D, Cai Z et al (2008) Greenhouse gas mitigation in agriculture. Philos Transact R Soc B Biol Sci 363:789–813. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2007.2184
Struik PC, Kuyper TW (2017) Sustainable intensification in agriculture: the richer shade of green. A review. Agron Sustain Dev 37:39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-017-0445-7
Tabashnik BE, Brévault T, Carrière Y (2013) Insect resistance to Bt crops: lessons from the first billion acres. Nat Biotechnol 31:510–521. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.2597
Takahashi M, Nakanishi H, Kawasaki S et al (2001) Enhanced tolerance of rice to low iron availability in alkaline soils using barley nicotianamine aminotransferase genes. Nat Biotechnol 19:466–469. https://doi.org/10.1038/88143
Thayer AM (1999) Transforming agriculture. Chem Eng News 77:21–33. https://doi.org/10.1021/cen-v077n016.p021
Tian (Jingxin) J, Bryksa BC, Yada RY (2016) Feeding the world into the future—food and nutrition security: the role of food science and technology. Front Life Sci 9:155–166. https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2016.1174958
Tramper J, Battershill C, Brandenburg W et al (2003) What to do in marine biotechnology? Biomol Eng 20:467–471. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1389-0344(03)00077-7
United Nations (1992) Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. United Nations, New York
United Nations (2019) 17 goals to transform the world for persons with disabilities. United Nations, New York
Uzogara SG (2000) The impact of genetic modification of human foods in the 21st century: a review. Biotechnol Adv 18:179–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0734-9750(00)00033-1
Van Montagu M (2020) The future of plant biotechnology in a globalized and environmentally endangered world. Genet Mol Biol 43:e20190040. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2019-0040
van de Wiel CCM, van der Linden CG, Scholten OE (2016) Improving phosphorus use efficiency in agriculture: opportunities for breeding. Euphytica 207:1–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-015-1572-3
Vermeulen SJ, Aggarwal PK, Ainslie A et al (2012) Options for support to agriculture and food security under climate change. Environ Sci Policy 15:136–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2011.09.003
von Schirnding Y (2005) The World Summit on Sustainable Development: reaffirming the centrality of health. Glob Health 1:8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-8603-1-8
Wager R (2009) Comment on “The future of agriculture.” EMBO Rep 10:104–105. https://doi.org/10.1038/embor.2008.250
Wang G, Dong Y, Liu X et al (2018) The current status and development of insect-resistant genetically engineered poplar in China. Front Plant Sci 9:1408. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01408
Waraich EA, Ahmad R, Halim A, Aziz T (2012) Alleviation of temperature stress by nutrient management in crop plants: a review. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 12:221–244. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-95162012000200003
Wu J, Kanno N, Motoyama R et al (2013) Control of root system architecture by DEEPER ROOTING 1 increases rice yield under drought conditions. Nat Genet 45:1097–1102
Xiang J (2015) Recent major advances of biotechnology and sustainable aquaculture in China. Curr Biotechnol 4:296–310. https://doi.org/10.2174/2211550105666151105190012
Xiao Y, Wu K (2019) Recent progress on the interaction between insects and Bacillus thuringiensis crops. Philos Transact R Soc B Biol Sci 374:20180316. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2018.0316
Yan L, Kerr PS (2002) Genetically engineered crops: their potential use for improvement of human nutrition. Nutr Rev 60:135–141. https://doi.org/10.1301/00296640260093797
Yashveer S, Singh V, Kaswan V et al (2014) Green biotechnology, nanotechnology and bio-fortification: perspectives on novel environment-friendly crop improvement strategies. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 30:113–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/02648725.2014.992622
Zabel F, Delzeit R, Schneider JM et al (2019) Global impacts of future cropland expansion and intensification on agricultural markets and biodiversity. Nat Commun 10:2844. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-10775-z
Zeigler RS (2001) Agricultural biotechnology: reducing poverty in developing countries. Plant Dis 85:568–579. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS.2001.85.6.568
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge the use of BioRender [https://biorender.com/] as an online tool for creating the figures in this review.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Communicated by Philippe Michaud, Chief Editor.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nasser, H.A., Mahmoud, M., Tolba, M.M. et al. Pros and cons of using green biotechnology to solve food insecurity and achieve sustainable development goals. Euro-Mediterr J Environ Integr 6, 29 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-020-00240-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-020-00240-5