What are likely environmental impacts of agricultural biotechnology?

The selection of reduced pesticide use as the correct answer highlights the potential benefits of agricultural biotechnology in enhancing sustainable farming practices. Many genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are engineered to exhibit traits such as natural pest resistance or herbicide tolerance. As a result, farmers may not need to apply chemical pesticides as frequently when using these crops, thereby lowering the overall usage of chemical inputs in agriculture.

This reduction in pesticide application can lead to several advantageous environmental impacts. For instance, decreased chemical runoff into water bodies contributes to improved water quality, while reduced pesticide usage may also benefit non-target organisms and promote a healthier ecosystem. Moreover, when crops are designed to be resistant to pests, the need for chemical interventions diminishes, allowing for a more natural balance in pest populations.

Biodiversity may be influenced in more complex ways, and increased pesticide usage generally carries negative environmental consequences, so these choices do not align with the expected positive impacts of biotechnology. Stricter environmental regulations may arise as a response to agricultural practices but are not directly an outcome of biotechnology itself. Thus, the focus on reduced pesticide use aligns well with the sustainable advancements sought through agricultural biotechnology innovations.