Genetic modification is the newest scientific tool for developing improved crop varieties. Such crops can help to enhance agricultural productivity, boost food production, reduce the use of farm chemicals, and make our food healthier. Genetically modified (GM; also called transgenic, genetically engineered, or bioengineered) crops represent the fastest-adopted technology in the history of agriculture, yet they are not universally accepted because of perceived concerns about their safety. Skeptics believe that such crops may pose unrecognized risks to human and animal health and could damage the environment.