Biotechnology in agriculture

Abstract

Genetically-modified (GM) varieties of crops, notably soybean, maize, rape (canola) and cotton were first grown commercially in 1996. In 2010 they occupied 148 million ha in 29 countries, mostly in the Americas and Asia but with an obvious absence in Europe where their introduction has been controversial due to concerns about environmental impairment and adverse impacts on human health. This paper reviews the published literature on the agronomic and environmental impact of GM crops in the last 15 years (a related paper by Morse and Mannion reviews the socio-economic impact). Overall, the impact of GM crops has largely been agronomically and environmentally positive in both developed and developing world contexts. The often claimed negative impacts of GM crops have yet to materialise on large scales in the field. Agronomically, there have been yield increases per unit area, mainly due to reduced losses as a result of improved pest i.e. insect and weed control; in the case of conventional crops grown near GM varieties with insect resistance 2 there have been benefits due to the so-called 'halo' effect. Environmentally, the decrease in insecticide use has benefitted non-target and beneficial organisms while surface and groundwater contamination is less significant; human-health problems related to pesticide use have also declined. Equally important is the reduced carbon footprint as energy inputs are reduced. Of particular note, however, is the recognition that the success or longevity of GM crops is reliant on the speed with which resistance develops in target weeds and insects.However, resistance to GM-based plant resistance is already being detected in some pest populations and this suggests that scientists and farmers cannot be complacent. Current GM approaches are relatively transitory as a means of combating pests, as are conventional pesticides, and good management will determine how long this strategy proves positive.However, GM is a comparatively new science and the possibilities are considerable.

GMOs in animal agriculture: time to consider both costs and benefits in regulatory evaluations

“…There have been substantial economic, production, and environmental benefits associated with the introduction of the first generation of GE crops [122,129-132]. All technologies are associated with both risks and benefits, and few would be adopted in the face of a risk-only analysis.…”

Food Systems and Natural Resources

“…These supplement traditional methods of crop and animal breeding. The application of genetically modified (GM) crops, a particular type of biotechnology, is controversial, with strong advocates both for and against it (see for example (Mannion & Morse, 2012)). …”

Tempest in a Tea Pot: How did the Public Conversation on Genetically Modified Crops Drift so far from the Facts?

“…This article will explain GM crops and the traits they contain, discuss safety assessment, provide a view on safety from authoritative organizations, discuss selected current matters of legitimate scientific debate such as food safety of compositionally modified crops and the emergence of pest resistance, and provide the author’s perspective as to how the public debate has drifted so very far from scientific reality. The economic and agronomic impacts of GM crops as well as environmental topics not included here have been reviewed elsewhere [3–6]. …”

“…While there is a clear need to address these issues effectively, this does not appear to necessitate rejection of GM technology as a whole. Rather, the role of GM technology—and various conventional technologies—in agriculture should continue to evolve in response to an evolving environment and in response to continued technical and scientific developments, genetic, and otherwise [6, 32]. …”