Mitigation of Climate Change Impacts Through the Development of Genetically Modified Crops

Climate change has become a special issue in every field of life including plants. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and the frequency of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts have significantly increased. All these events can result in crop failures and loss of life. These adverse climatic conditions demand permanent solutions to deal with extreme events. The development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is one of the most promising approaches to mitigate climate change. GMOs can be developed against abiotic (drought, salt, and heat) and biotic stresses (disease and insects) with improved nutrient efficiency. Additionally, gene editing is an advanced technique for crop improvement. This chapter explores the role of GMOs in developing climate-resilient crops such as wheat, rice, maize, cotton, soybean, and sorghum. In addition, it also explains the ethical concerns, potential risks, and regulatory frameworks for the adoption of GMOs.