The chasm between what people worry about and what is true about genetically modified (GM) crops is deep and wide. Indeed, most of what people believe about GM crops is the exact opposite of what is true.
Facts first. Modern genetic methods of crop improvement are responsible for a significant fraction of the recent yield increases in crops where they are used, so farmers who have adopted GM crops have benefited the most. In 2011, 16.7 million farmers grew biotech crops on almost 400 million acres in 29 countries, 19 of which were developing countries. Importantly, 90% of the farmers growing GM crops were resource-poor, small-holder farmers and they produced almost half of the GM crops grown worldwide last year. Between 1996 and 2010, the half of cumulative farm income gain accruing to developing countries was almost US$ 40 billion.
Insect-resistant Bt crops have markedly reduced pesticide use, so they’re good for the environment. Roughly 443 million kilograms less pesticide (active ingredient) was applied to fields between 1996 and 2010 because insect-resistant crops were being grown. Less pesticide means more beneficial insects and birds and less pesticide contamination of water.
See full Article: http://forumblog.org/2013/02/gm-crops-facts-and-myths/
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