GMO Crop Scientific Studies

GMO and GMO crops, All about genetic engineering, genetically modified organisms, and genetic modification

Jun 28, 2006

Recent scientific studies on GMO crops and its farm/agricultural and societal effects show higher costs of GM seeds, with little, if any crop yield benefits.

A study at University of Iowa by Michael Duffy (See the report) in 1998 and 2000 found "no economic advantage for Iowa farmers to plant GMO crops" based upon USDA data and interviews with farmers.

In India, a 5-year study by Biowatch South Africa showed that farmers who planted the GMO crop Bt cotton did not benefit.

Per the Website, "Biowatch South Africa was established in 1997 as a national non-governmental organisation to publicise, monitor and research issues of genetic engineering and promote biological diversity and sustainable livelihoods.

The organisation has its head office in Cape Town in the Western Cape and rural offices in Elandskraal in Limpopo Province and Mtubatuba in KwaZulu Natal. Both rural offices work with small scale farmers on sustainable agriculture, food and seed security and farmers' rights."

High Numbers of Farmer Suicides in India 1997 - 2005

A large number of farmer suicides in India, particularly in Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, were later attributed to the resultant heavy debts of purchasing the GM seed at much higher price than conventional, with resultant losses. Various other explanations for the remarkably high number of farmer suicides in India have included drought, the lack of adequate water supply (Farmer's Association), corporate globalization, and policies of the IMF and World Bank (or a convergence of all the above.)

One source estimated the number of farmer suicides at 25,000 since 1997, although that is not official. In 2004, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed the crisis by promising aid to the families of deceased farmers.

According to a recent article in Hindu Business Line, "Bt Cottonseed Producers Face Uncertain Future"(6/13/2006), the Indian government mandated a seed price decrease and consequently, the Bt cottonseed prices in 2006 are nearly half of what they were one year ago, resulting in significant farmer relief.

Other Scientific Studies on GM crops

Pest-killing GM Cotton Still Potent After All These Years, claims that genetically modified cotton plants (Bt) continued to fend off the pink bollworm after eight seasons (New Scientist, Issue 2523, 29 Oct. 2005.)

There is growing evidence that genetic modification of seeds and crops is harmful to non-targeted (helpful) insects and produces no, or only negligible, benefit to the farmer.

The study, first published in the science journal, Nature, was soon followed by an Iowa University Study which found similar harmful results to monarch butterflies, but under more field-like conditions (See Crop Choice.Com.)

In 2001, however, another more controlled study was published claiming there was no damage to monarch butterflies, but which ignored evidence pointing to potential dangers for other non-targeted insects.

In 2001, "Transgenic Insecticidal Corn: Beyond Insecticidal Toxicity to Ecological Complexity" was published in the journal, BioScience, indicating the use of Bt corn had neither reduced pesticide use nor significantly increased yields, and suggesting that too much emphasis was being put on insect damage when it should rather be evaluated based on agricultural and economic results.

Book: Seeds of Deception

A best selling book entitled Seeds of Deception documents significant health dangers of genetically modified (GM) foods, intense industry influence and political lobbying. (See Seeds of Deception.Com - Smith, Jeffrey M. Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies About the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You're Eating. (Yes! Books/Chelsea Green Publishing.)

The copyright of the article GMO Crop Scientific Studies in Vegetable Gardens is owned by Sally Odum. Permission to republish GMO Crop Scientific Studies in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.