Advantages and disadvantages of GM crops

1. Crops
Area yield
( Million
hectares)
Trait Producers
Toxin
Produced
Target Insect Advantages Disadvantages
Corn
 Insecticidal
 Pest Resistance
US, Canada, Brazil,
Spain, South Africa,
Argentina
 cry1Ab
 cry9c
 Ostrinia nubilalis Less damage by Insects, viruses and bacteria
Spread of new, more resistant "super pests”
and “super weeds”
Cotton
18.8 (2012)  Insecticidal
 Herbicide Resistance
 US
 Brazil
 India
 Mexico
 China
 Australia
 Pakistan
 cry1Ab
 cry1Ac
 cry2Ab
 H.virescens
 H. zea
 S. Exigua
Herbicide will kill only weeds and not crops.
Successfully repels the larvae of the principal
predators of cotton, and all other larval insects
trying to take a bite out of the cotton plant,
eliminating the necessity for pesticide
applications.
It affects all larval insects, so if there are any
beneficial caterpillars, they will be killed too.
Tomato
 Insecticidal
 Delayed Ripening
 US
 China
 cry1Ab
 cry1Ac
 H. virescens
 H. armigera
Can remain fresh longer they can be allowed to
ripen in the sun before picking - resulting in a
better tasting tomato.
Can be shipped with less damage
Genetically modified tomatoes contain genes
that made them resistant to antibiotics.
Doctors and vets use antibiotics to fight
infections. These genes spread to animals and
people, doctors would have difficulties
fighting infectious diseases.
Potato <0.1 (2001)
 High Starch
 Insecticidal
 US
 Europe
 Canada
 cry3Aa
 cry1Ab
 Phthorimaea
operculella
 Heliothis armigera
High in nutrients
Absorb less oil when fried
Harmful health risks: Can cause antibiotic
resistance , may contain allergens and toxins
& Taste of GMOs are not as good or "natural"
Rice
 Supplement of Iron
 Supplement od Provitamin A
 China
 cry1Ab
 cry1B
 Chilo supressalis
Walker
 C. medinalis
Reduction of sicknesses and illnesses, as GMO
crops are more nutritious. Vitamins and
minerals can be provided to children and to
people, where they were inaccessible before
(i.e.: the world’s poorest and/or most secluded
areas).
Larger companies might have more political
power. They might be able to influence safety
and health standards (example: less stringent
regulations, standards and requirements).
Canola 9.2 (2012)  Supplement of Vitamin E
 US
 Canada
 Australia
Less herbicides and pesticides used
Better weed control
Potential for herbicide resistance - Farmers
cannot save seeds and will be penalized if
they do so
Canola oil was found to suppress the normal
developmental increase in platelet count in
piglets
Soy
Beans
80.7 (2012)
 Insecticidal
 Herbicide Tolerance
 Production of Vaccines and Medicines
 US
 Brazil
 Canada
 Argentina
 South Africa
 cry1Ac
 H. virescens
 H. zea
Ability to generate useful vaccines and
medicines that have the potential to treat human
diseases on a cost-effective manner
Unforeseen risks and dangers due to the
complexity of nature.
Cross-pollination with traditional, organic
plants. New genes may also be included in the
offspring of the traditional, organic crops
miles away. This makes it difficult to
distinguish which crop field is organic, and
which is not.