Report on the GM plant cultivation in the USA: advantages for farmer and environment

(16 April 2010) The cultivation of genetically modified (GM) plants in the USA has improved the financial situation of farmers and reduced environmental damage caused by farming: this is the conclusion of a two-year study conducted by the National Research Council (NRC) and presented on 13.04.2010 in Washington, USA. At the same time, the study warns against the incautious handling of herbicide-tolerant plants and their corresponding herbicides.

In the USA, genetically modified plants occupy one half of crop fields in general and represent 80 per cent of soybean, maize and cotton. In 2008, the NRC, an independent non-profit organization, commissioned a ten-person committee comprised of natural scientists, economists and sociologists who assessed the outcome of the cultivation of GM plants since 1996.

According to David Ervin, Chair of the NRC Committee, most farmers have enhanced their commercial success and reduced environmental stress both on the farms in question and in the surrounding area. Less insecticide was applied in the combat of pests. In addition, the ‘system’ of herbicide-resistant plants and their complementary herbicides has assisted the breakthrough of such ground-friendly farming practices. In the case of soybean, this system has achieved almost total crop coverage.

Due to the improvement of weed combat, many farmers now plough less. In turn, this improves the quality and water retention of the earth, which then experiences less erosion. With GM plants, less insecticide and herbicide are utilised that otherwise would accumulate in the earth and in bodies of water. According to Ervin, "...improvement of the quality of bodies of water above ground is the greatest advantage form the cultivation of GM plants."

Simultaneously, the committee warned against the inordinate use of the herbicidal active ingredient glyphosate that is used to combat of weeds in the cultivation of herbicide-resistant crops. As a result of the regular application of the same active ingredient, nine new weed types in the USA already have developed a resistance to glyphosate. GM varieties may be expected to forfeit their effectiveness if farmers do not also apply other concepts in the combat of weeds.

According to Ervin, "...we urgently need a better understanding of how green gene technology influences farms and and the environment." Primarily, such understanding will be essential when, in the future, new characteristics achieved with gene technology are available and GM varieties of a wider range of plants reach the market.

Members of the NRC committees are appointed by the National Academies of the USA according to their competence in the field in question and their experience. They must acknowledge the academy standards, through which possible conflicts of interest are eliminated. As is the case of all NRC reports, the report on GM plants was reviewed by external experts prior to its publication..

More at GMO Compass:

• USA: Cultivation of GM plants in 2009

Further information:

• National Academies: genetically engineered crops benefit many farmers, but the technology needs proper management to remain effective