Roger N. Beachy
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St Louis

Since the emergence of agricultural biotechnology as a bona fide method for crop improvement, farmers in a growing number of countries have benefited, some to greater extents than others. The vast majority of farmers that have used genetically modified or enhanced crops have realized better yields and increased profits. Simultaneously, there has been reduced use of pesticides and reduced tillage of the land, with concomitant reductions in consumption of petroleum products. The environmental and health benefits that accrue from the use of biotech crops have been documented in many different settings. Nevertheless, biotechnologists, crop scientists, and economists all recognize that biotechnology is only one part of the many components necessary to meet the challenges of sustainable agriculture and food production for the growing world population. Read More …