Why is the use of genetically modified organisms on the rise?

The technological advancement that occurred over the last 100 years has facilitated many aspects of
human life, including agriculture. The latter was predominantly improved by new hardware and
genetically altered plants, as this was required to feed a demographically exploding population. The
purpose of this essay is to discuss two main causes behind the increasing use of GMOs; namely, to
protect crops from herbicides, insects and to enhance their nutritional profile.
The main factor that induces use of GMOs is hostile plant pests and weeds. For example, in order to
prevent plants from being overwhelmed and eventually destroyed by aggressive weeds, farmers often
use specific herbicides. However, employment of such method is usually problematic, because these
chemicals tend to harm the crop itself. Fortunately, scientists have found a viable solution by inserting
a certain gene into DNA sequence of the plant, which would grant immunity to those herbicides, and
in return only unwanted herbs would be killed. Same practice also applies for defense against insects,
making plants inedible for them, although some species are able to adapt (to changes) and provoke a
further battle between humans and pests. Admittedly, avoidance of yield loss due to noxious
organisms causes rising use of GMOs.
Another cause responsible for rise of GMOs is its ability to improve nutritional content. Higher crop
nutritional value helps to reduce health issues (malnourishment) and feed the population with smaller
volume of edibles. For instance, high-oleic soybeans have been genetically modified to produce oil
with more monounsaturated fat, less saturated fat and little-to-no trans fat. Other GM crops are still
being developed for nutritional improvement, including Golden Rice, which incorporates β-carotene
that could deliver vitamin A to children in developing countries and reduce blindness in impoverished
communities. Hence, striving to grow nutritionally richer food causes surging use of GMOs.
In conclusion, GMO ability to repel pests and to supplement nutritive deficiencies of plants causes its
exploitation to rise. I hold a view that this pattern will remain unchanged in the near future.