Which claim is typically advanced by proponents of genetically modified foods?

• A. They are unsafe for human health
• B. They do not help feed the world
• C. They do not affect the environment
• D. They reduce the environmental impact of agriculture

Answer: (D)

Proponents of genetically modified foods typically emphasize environmental benefits. They argue that crops engineered for pest resistance reduce the need for chemical pesticides, lowering pollution and protecting non-target organisms. They also highlight that herbicide-tolerant varieties enable no-till or reduced-till farming, which preserves soil, reduces erosion, and lowers fuel use. Taken together, these points are framed as ways GM crops can lessen agriculture’s environmental footprint. The other statements align more with concerns or critiques rather than the common proponent position, and the idea of having no environmental effects contradicts the claimed reductions.