Environmental Effects of Agricultural Biotechnology

The emergence of agricultural biotechnology has been held out as the great hope for meeting the food needs of a rapidly expanding world population. It has promised greater agricultural efficiencies and crop yields, and thereby economic growth opportunities for developing countries. Many world relief efforts have embraced this vision and, consequently, agricultural biotechnology has been introduced to most areas of the world. However, the actual ramifications of much of this technology have stirred up considerable controversy, primarily regarding the environmental impact and its consequences for humans.

Background

• Agricultural biotechnology has come about through the use of genetic engineering to improve the agricultural productivity of many agricultural products. One of the major outcomes has been the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), primarily through seeds that have been bioengineered to "vaccinate" ensuing crops by internally generating their own pesticides and herbicides. This is intended to provide greater yields with need for less chemical inputs.

  Those in the industry also maintain some of these seeds enable farmers to plant using no-till methods, having the two-fold benefit of being able to plant on hillsides formerly too steep for planting, as well as contributing to less soil erosion. Seeds have also been developed to contain increased nutrients, such as iron and vitamin A, and to have medicinal benefits. Thus, agricultural biotechnology is seen by many as able to provide solutions to the world's food supply needs, while also having positive impacts on the environment.

Challenge of Environmentalists

• Environmentalists are concerned with the potential genetic impact of agriculturally bioengineered products on other organisms in the environment for a number of reasons. A primary objection is that these GMOs do not grow in isolation, but cross-pollinate with other non-GMO crops and native plants, the exact outcome of which is feared to be potentially disastrous, especially since GMO crops do not produce fertile seeds. There is also concern about the buildup of toxins in the soil from these plants and its impact on natural pest control, not to mention the impact on organisms feeding on these toxins -- all the way up the food chain. In general, there is great concern for the protection of biodiversity in the environment.

Example of India

• The impact of agricultural engineering in India is often cited as an example of the potential negative outcome. Much of this is documented in the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice's report, "Every Thirty Minutes: Farmer Suicides, Human Rights, and the Agrarian Crisis in India." It notes that one farmer commits suicide every thirty minutes and that an estimated quarter of a million have done so. This is seen to be largely as a result of the rising costs of GMO seeds and growing need for other agricultural supplies. Formerly, Indian farmers regenerated their own seed supply from their crop. The report states that they are increasingly dependent on the GMO businesses and hurt by the rapidly rising cost of seed and other needed supplies. Many have fallen so into debt to these suppliers that they have seen no other way out but suicide. The report also addresses the over-reliance on cash crops, namely cotton, and many of the negative environmental outcomes from this.

Summary

• As agricultural biotechnology evolves, the debates regarding its environmental impacts will surely continue. Well over half of all major crops grown in the U.S., Canada and Argentina are now from GMOs, while in contrast the European Union continues its legislative efforts to ban growing or importing many GMO crops. Many worldwide are calling for more open identification of GMO products, greater regulation thorough independent scientific overview, and more social responsibility by the large GMO businesses in recognizing the profound impact of non-regenerative seed and GMO crops for many farmers and the environment.