Plants / bacteria / fungi / animals whose genes have been altered by manipulation.
Tolerance to abiotic stresses / like cold / drought / salt/heat, reduced reliance on chemical pesticides / pest resistant crops, reduce post harvest losses, increased efficiency of mineral usage by plants, enhanced nutritional value to create tailor made plant.
Detailed Answer :
Genetically modified organisms are living organisms whose genes have been altered by biotechnological manipulation.
Advantages :
(i) It makes crops more tolerant to abiotic stresses which can be in the form of cold, drought, salt or heat.
(ii) It reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides (pest-resistant crops).
(iii) It helps to reduce post harvest losses.
(iv) It increases the efficiency of mineral usage by plants. This prevents early exhaustion of fertility of soil.
(v) In enhances the nutritional value of food, e.g., genetically modified variety of rice is rich in vitamin A.
