Facts about Genetically Engineered Crops

By Paul J. Pugliese
The terms bioengineering, biotechnology, genetically modified organisms (GMO), transgenic crops,
and genetic engineering are often used interchangeably, though GMO has become the most popular
term. The term “modified” creates confusion, as practically all crops have been modified through
selective breeding. ‘GMO’ is a legal term that refers only to the method used for modification, not the
type of modification done. Specifically, it refers to modifications with recombinant DNA under
laboratory conditions to rearrange or eliminate specific genes, or transfer genes identified in related
and unrelated species, giving it a desirable trait such as resistance to a disease, insect pest, or an
herbicide. Although GMO crops are usually improved hybrids, not all hybrids are genetically
engineered. In fact, the vast majority of hybrids plants and seeds on the market were developed
with traditional breeding methods.

As of 2017, there were only eleven commercial crops grown in the U.S. that have genetically
engineered varieties: sweet corn, field corn, cotton, soybeans, canola, alfalfa, papaya, squash, sugar
beets, Arctic® apples, and White Russet™ potatoes. Consumers wrongly assume that most fruits,
vegetables, rice, and wheat at the grocery store have been genetically engineered.

Marketing claims such as “non-GMO verified” and “GMO free” adds confusion to consumers. For
example, the non-GMO verified label is prominently displayed on many orange juice containers, yet
there are no genetically engineered oranges on the market to date. Many local nurseries label their
fruit trees, vegetable transplants, and seeds as “GMO free”, yet there are no genetically engineered
plants or seeds that can be purchased at retail garden centers. County agents often receive calls from
clients that want to purchase only non-GMO seeds or plants. Clients are often surprised to learn that
all plants and seeds available at retail garden centers are already non-GMO.

Here are a few of the benefits that have been documented with the adoption of genetically
engineered crops over the past 25 years:
• Biotech crops have reduced pesticide use by 37%.
• Biotech crops have increased yields an average of 22%.
• Biotech crops have increased farmer income by an average of 68%.
• Food costs in the U.S. make up about 6.7% of our income.
• No-till farming has a reduced carbon footprint equivalent to removing 4 million cars per year.

Conventional and organic farmers share a common goal: to sustainably produce safe, nutritious food
for a growing world population (see Table 1). By definition, no farming method is truly sustainable,
despite popular marketing claims to the contrary. Sustainability is a goal that all farmers are
constantly seeking to achieve and with science-based research, farmers are getting closer to a more
sustainable way of producing our food. Our job is to help famers (both organic and conventional)
learn about current, science-based methods that allow them to achieve this common goal. However,
it’s a goal that will always have room for improvement. Look at how far we have come in the last 100
years with farming compared to the dust bowl days. And yet, we still have a long way to go in solving
some of the complex issues that face today’s agriculture. Ironically, famers fight other farmers about
these issues and don’t try to work together to achieve this common goal. When farmers fight
farmers, the cost of food increases and consumers lose—look at the millions of dollars that have been
spent on lobbying and legal battles over labeling standards for organic and genetically engineered
products.

Table 1: Approaches used by conventional and organic farmers comparing their benefits and
challenges.
Benefits & Conventional Organic Approaches used
Challenges Approaches Approaches by both
Reduced Pesticide • GE crops that resist • Avoiding synthetic • Integrated Pest
Use insects and diseases pesticides. Management (IPM)
without pesticides. • Mechanical weed • Beneficial insects
• Eradication programs control. • Crop rotation and
such as for boll weevil cover crops

Reduced Carbon • Herbicide tolerant GE • Avoiding synthetic • Buy and sell locally
Footprint crops that minimize fertilizers. grown
tillage. • Cover crops

Increased Yields • GE crops and hybrid • Adding composts to • Nitrogen-fixing cover

varieties increase soil organic crops
• Synthetic fertilizers matter and microbial • Integrated Pest
activity Management (IPM)

Improved Water • Herbicide tolerant GE • Adding composts and • Cover crops

Quality and Erosion crops that minimize mulches to increase • No-till or reduced
the need for tillage. soil organic matter. tillage.
Prevention
Lower Production • High yielding GE crops • Lower input costs • Integrated Pest
Costs and hybrids associated with Management (IPM) to
• Less mechanical weed fertilizers, pesticides, reduce pesticide use.
control by using non-GE seeds, and • Cover crops
herbicides equipment.
• Economy of scale
(larger farms)
Food Safety • Restricted harvest • Restricted harvest • Use clean water
intervals after intervals after sources such as wells
pesticide use. pesticide use. or chlorinated water
• Extensive safety • Planting restrictions that are tested
testing and regulations after manure or regularly for
on GE crop varieties compost use to pathogens.
before commercially minimize food-borne • Drip irrigation
available. pathogens.
Major Challenges • Pesticide resistance • Fate of pesticides in • Each system has its
• Fate of pesticides in the environment limitations and
the environment • High cost of pest challenges.
• Loss of biodiversity management and Ultimately, to produce
with larger farms mechanical weed food sustainably for a
• High input costs control growing world
associated with • Limited nitrogen population, we need to
fertilizers, pesticides, availability consider all the tools
and GE seeds • Limited pest control in the toolbox.
options.