What are the risks and benefits concerning genetic modification of crops?

With the world population increasing exponentially, the concept of genetic engineering can be viewed as a sustainable way to feed people. Crops can be genetically modified to improve certain characteristics and improve desirability such as increasing shelf life or improving crop yield. Additionally, land available for food production is finite so GM crops may offer a way of providing nutrient-rich foods to inhospitable areas, thereby reducing problems related to famine or droughts. However, crops that have been genetically engineered raise ethical concerns and are believed to pose potential risks to the balance of natural communities. For example, crops that are resistant to pests or disease are likely to produce long term effects on the wider feeding chain. Selection of genes will also reduce the gene pool and therefore affect the biodiversity of plants and wildlife. Overall, genetic engineering is a relatively new development and the long-term social and environmental implications are not fully understood, raising concerns about the safety of GM crops.