Which common method is frequently employed in agricultural biotechnology?

Genetic modification is a prevalent method in agricultural biotechnology due to its ability to introduce specific traits into an organism's genome through direct manipulation of genes. This technique allows for the precise alteration of genetic material, enabling the development of crops that exhibit desirable characteristics such as increased yield, pest resistance, improved nutritional content, and environmental adaptability more rapidly and efficiently than traditional methods.

While hybridization, selective breeding, and natural selection play roles in agricultural practices, they often rely on natural variations and traditional methods. Genetic modification, however, provides the opportunity to incorporate genes from unrelated species, thereby achieving traits that would not be possible through conventional breeding techniques. This capacity to design specific plant or animal characteristics has revolutionized agriculture, aligning it with modern biotechnological advancements to meet global food demands and sustainability challenges.