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
|
