Is the United States the only country that grows biotech crops?

Biotech crops also are grown in 22 other countries.  Many people are surprised to learn that several European nations are growing biotech crops as well. Portugal and France resumed planting of biotech corn in 2005, and the Czech Republic planted biotech corn for the first time in 2005.  There are now five EU countries growing commercialized biotech corn: Spain, Germany, Portugal, France and Czech Republic.

10.3 million farmers in 22 countries planted 250 million acres of biotech crops in nations around the world (2006)  Over the last decade, farmers have consistently increased their plantings of biotech crops in double-digit growth rates every single year since biotech crops were first commercialized in 1996.  The number of biotech countries increased from 6-22 in the same period.  "It is noteworthy that more than half (55% or 3.6 billion people) of the global population of 6.5 billion live in the 22 countries where biotech crops are grown in 2006 ...."  For more information on global production of biotech crops you can visit the website www.isaaa.org

Is it true that Japan will no longer import papaya from Hawaii because about 60% of the papayas grown commercially in Hawaii are biotech papayas?

Japan does indeed import papaya grown in Hawaii, and Japan is currently reviewing for approval the import of Hawaii biotech papaya.  The Japanese Department of Food Safety in the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has already conducted safety assessments and given approval for importation of 75 biotech crops as of February 2006. Subsequently in April 2007, this number increased to 77 approved biotech crops accepted for import to Japan.  Click here for more information.  


What kind of biotech crops are grown in the United States?

According to the US Deparment of Agriculture (2006), 89% of soybeans planted were biotech, with a total 66.7 million acreage of biotech soybeans.  Corn ranks second in biotech crop acreage in the US at 48.4 million.  Cotton has the third highest adoption rate at 83%, with the third highest plantings at 12.4 million acres.  All total, acres of biotech corn, soybeans, cotton and canola planted in the US increased by 11.1 million acres to 128.3 million acres in 2006.  This is an increase of 9.5% from 117.2 million acres in 2005. 
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, in 2006 61% of corn planted in the US was enhanced for herbicide tolerance or insect resistance.  For more information about biotech crops grown by farmers in the US, please visit the website www.truthabouttrade.org



I hear so much about the dangers of GMO.  What do scientists and world leaders say about GMOs?

More than 3,400 international scientists have signed the Declaration of Support for Agriculture Biotechnology. which includes 25 Nobel Prize winners and other prestigious scientists.  When listening to the discussion about the safety and benefits of biotechnology, people are urged to consider the body of evidence that is behind the information.  Is the proponent or opponent of agriculture biotechnology speaking about 25 studies, 100 studies or 1,000's of studies that justify the point of view?  Ask critical  questions; evaluate how the point of view is substantiated.

Opponents say that the doctors and National Academy of Science do not support agriculture biotechnology.  Is this true?
The AMA stated in December 2000 that it recognizes the many potential benefits offered by genetically modified crops and foods, does not support a moratorium on planting genetically-modified crops, and encourages ongoing research developments in food biotechnology.

In 2000, the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council,  said that "the committee is not aware of any evidence that foods on the market are unsafe to eat as a result of genetic modification."  In 1989, in its Field Testing of Genetically Modified Organisms: Framework for Decisions, the NAS stated "Crops modified by molecular and cellular methods should pose risks no different from those modified by classical genetic methods for similar traits. As the molecular methods are more specific, users of these methods will be more certain about the traits they introduce into the plants.

Click here to learn more about what experts say about agriculture biotechnology.

Question Archive

What are HCIA member companies doing in Hawaii?
What is plant breeding?
What is a hybrid, and what is an inbred parent line?
What is biotechnology?
Is this a new technology?
If agricultural biotech is so beneficial, why is there some resistance to it?
Where are biotech crops grown?
Are most of the fruits and vegetables I eat biotech plants?
Are biotech food safe to eat?