Genetic Engineering in Agriculture | Union of Concerned Scientists

Few topics in agriculture are more polarizing than genetic engineering (GE), the process of manipulating an organisms genetic materialusually using genes from other speciesin an effort to produce desired traits such as higher yield or drought tolerance.

GE has been hailed by some as an indispensable tool for solving the worlds food problems, and denounced by others as an example of human overreaching fraught with unknown, potentially catastrophic dangers.

UCS experts analyze the applications of genetic engineering in agricultureparticularly in comparison to other optionsand offer practical recommendations based on that analysis.

Supporters of GE in agriculture point to a multitude of potential benefits of engineered crops, including increased yield, tolerance of drought, reduced pesticide use, more efficient use of fertilizers, and ability to produce drugs or other useful chemicals. UCS analysis shows that actual benefits have often fallen far short of expectations.

While the risks of genetic engineering have sometimes been exaggerated or misrepresented, GE crops do have the potential to cause a variety of health problems and environmental impacts. For instance, they may produce new allergens and toxins, spread harmful traits to weeds and non-GE crops, or harm animals that consume them.

At least one major environmental impact of genetic engineering has already reached critical proportions: overuse of herbicide-tolerant GE crops has spurred an increase in herbicide use and an epidemic of herbicide-resistant "superweeds," which will lead to even more herbicide use.

How likely are other harmful GE impacts to occur? This is a difficult question to answer. Each crop-gene combination poses its own set of risks. While risk assessments are conducted as part of GE product approval, the data are generally supplied by the company seeking approval, and GE companies use their patent rights to exercise tight control over research on their products.

In short, there is a lot we don't know about the risks of GEwhich is no reason for panic, but a good reason for caution.

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Genetic Engineering in Agriculture | Union of Concerned Scientists