Genetic engineering: Affects on Farmers

The graph above shows how the profit from genetically modified crops has been increasing since 2000. However, between 2007-2008 the revenues dropped. This drop may be due to increased consumer concern for the environment.

Scientists have worked to genetically engineer plants for various reasons including: “to improve the shelf-life of produce, improve crop nitrogen fixation, and bolster control of agricultural pests.” Most plants grown today include genetic variations to protect against insects and traits that protect the plants against herbicides. We see economic effects of genetic engineering at two levels. The first level affected is the supply, the farmers. The genetically modified traits that allow plants to resist insects leads to increased outputs and a reduction in the cost of pesticides needed. The second popular modification is the herbicide resistant genes.  These genes are intended to make damage control cheaper and easier, not to increase outputs. Both genes can improve the cost efficiency of harvesting. Insect resistant crops have a reduced demand for inputs such as, pesticide, machinery, fuel, and water. Herbicide resistant crops historically have led to and increased use of no-tilling farming, which changes the types of equipment needed but reduces the amount of fuel, effort, and soil erosion. However, these benefits do come with a cost to the farmers; since 1994 seed prices have increased 140%.

 To read the full article: http://www.choicesmagazine.org/magazine/print.php?article=129

 

Sources:

 Zilberman, David, Jorge Fernandez-Cornejo, Steve E. Sexton, and Michele Marra. "The Economic Impact of Genetically

                    Engineered Crops." Choices n.d.: n. pag. The Economic Impact of Genetically Engineered Crops. Print.
Picture Sources:
"Biotechnology is Technology." Search Results. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2012.