The lobbying organization for the biotech industry - BIO - just put out a press release in the last week bragging about the latest numbers showing just how many crops grown in the U.S. are genetically modified. According to their information:
- Genetically modified crops were introduced commercially in the U.S. in 1996.
- 92% of all soybeans grown in the U.S. in 2008 are GMOs
- 86% of U.S. grown cotton (measured by acreage) is genetically modified
- 80% of corn grown in the U.S. in 2008 is genetically modified.
Each of these crops is genetically modified in one of two ways. Either it can resist being sprayed with Monsanto's herbicide Roundup or it has a natural pesticide (Bt) engineered into its genes. The biotech industry brags profusely (see the next quote) about how much less pesticides are used because of GMOs, totally neglecting that the "herbicide tolerant" type of GM crop allows (and encourages) farmers to spray more herbicide.
From their press release:
Additionally, ag biotechnology has substantial environmental benefits because biotech crop varieties require less cultivation and fewer pesticide applications, thereby saving fuel and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the air. This also improves soil health and water retention.
I particularly have a problem with the last sentence of this quote. The biotech industry relies on the continuation of "Big Ag" and it is only in that context that they are making any improvements in agriculture. If one considers all of the possible solutions to the various problems farmers and consumers face, Big Ag and biotech would certainly not come out on top.
The data cited here is from the report Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S. (July 2, 2008). |
