According to
the Biotechnology Industry Organization, Bt corn reduced pesticide
use on only 2.5% of the total U.S. corn crop in 1998. |
Fields of
Genes
Farmers across
the country are taking advantage of a whole new crop of high-tech
alternatives--corn genetically engineered to kill pests, or soybeans
that survive a blast of weed-killer. So how are they these crops
working? Studies show mixed results.
| Crop |
Yield |
Profit |
Herbicide
/ Pesticide use |
Cotton
(genetically engineered to resist herbicides) |
up* |
up* |
no significant
reduction* |
soybeans
(genetically engineered to resist herbicides) |
small
increase* |
small
increase* |
significant
decrease* |
*according
to 1998 USDA report
Note:
Bt corn only, adoption of herbicide tolerant varieties not
included.
Source: National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy |
