Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 10/31/16


The use of genetically modified crops with a goal of developing pest-resistant crops that produced higher yields has failed to meet either target, according to several recent reports and The New York Times.

In the 20 years that the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to grow animal feed crops became popular in North America, there has been no significant reduction in the use of pesticides as expected or an acceleration of crop yields, the Times said. A close look at a related United Nations report indicated that Western Europe – which mostly has stayed away from generically modified crops since 1996 – showed no true advantage in the amount of food generated on a per-acre basis, the Times reported.

The newspaper report also cited USDA statistics indicating a significant increase in the use of pesticides in soybeans, although pesticide use in corn crops were trending downward when GMOs were first introduced, but nearly doubled between 2002 and 2010.

That study by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations also noted that the use of genetically modified crops as part of biotechnology efforts has increased in developing countries to 70 million hectares as of 2010.

Additionally, a report from the National Academy of Sciences said there was “little evidence” that the use of genetically modified crops resulted in yield gains compared with yields with conventionally raised crops.

The Times investigation focused on U.S. and Canadian crops versus varieties grown in seven Western European nations and trend lines in rapeseed production in Western Europe and Canada. A variant of rapeseed is used to produce canola oil.

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