Safety aspects of genetically modified crops with abiotic stress tolerance

• GM crops with abiotic stress tolerance may contribute to global food security.
• A variety of GM crops with abiotic stress tolerance is moving towards the market.
• Adoption of GM crops with abiotic stress tolerance depends on safety assessment.
• Current comparative approach is challenged by GM crops with abiotic stress tolerance.
• We proposed a triangle method to assess GM crops with abiotic stress tolerance.

Abiotic stress, such as drought, salinity, and temperature extremes, significantly reduce crop yields. Hence, development of abiotic stress-tolerant crops by modern biotechnology may contribute to global food security. Prior to introducing genetically modified crops with abiotic stress tolerance to the market, a food and environmental safety assessment is generally required. Although worldwide harmonised comparative approach is currently provided, risk assessors still face challenges to assess genetically modified crops with abiotic stress-tolerance. Here, we discuss current developments of abiotic stress tolerance as well as issues concerning food and environmental safety assessment of these crops, including current approaches, challenges and future directions.