Why are we so concerned with genetic engineering of plants, if we will need to?

The genetic engineering has produced hardier and more disease resistant plants.

The humble apple is a good example of what can be done without genetic engineering.

Apple trees cannot be grown from seed, or the resulting fruit will be different for every seed planted, even if they came from the same apple. Thus growers need to graft apple trees, when they have developed an apple tree and variety suitable for its purpose.

The problem arises when, having grown many grafted trees and harvested their fruit, the pests and diseases have had time to adapt to that particular apple. Thus, apple types have a limited "life" before too many insecticides, etc., need to be used to combat problems.

Thus, a new species needs to be introduced, again by selection and grafting. No genetic interference is needed.

Genetic engineering provides a method of developing products than resist disease and pests, but given time, these pests and diseases may adapt as well.

What is unknown is the long term effects of this human interference with nature!