Genetically Engineered Crops: Environmental Impacts 1996-2009

Although the first commercial genetically engineered (GE) crops were planted in 1994 (tomatoes), 1996 was the first year in which a significant area of crops containing GE traits were planted (1.66 million hectares). Since then there has been a dramatic increase in plantings, and by 2010/11 the global planted area reached over 139 million hectares. This rapid rate of adoption of GE crop technology is probably without precedent in terms of speed of adoption for a new technology. It largely reflects the significant benefits that farmers using the technology have derived1 . A considerable body of literature exists that consistently reports the economic benefits derived from use of GE technology and the reasons why farmers have adopted the technology. However, the literature examining impacts of GE technology adoption in agriculture on the environment is less prolific.

This article summarizes the findings of research into the global environmental impact of biotech crops since their commercial introduction in 1996. It is largely drawn from analysis by Brookes and Barfoot that annually assesses the global economic and environmental impact of GE crops, the latest of which can be found in the peer reviewed journal GM Crops 2:1, 1-16, January–March 2011.

The environmental impact analysis focuses on the impacts associated with changes in the amount of insecticides and herbicides applied to the GE crops relative to conventionally grown alternatives. The analysis also examines the contribution of GE crops towards reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

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