Who benefits from gm crops?: an industry built on myths
This report examines the reality of GM crop production worldwide. It differentiates the claims from the reality, drawing evidence from the experiences of small farmers and the communities who live with GM. It finds: There is significant resistance to GM crops on all continents; Evidence from the cultivation of GM crops in North and South America, going back over two decades, shows increased levels of pesticide use due to weed and insect resistance – herbicide tolerant and insect tolerant (BT) GM crops do not provide an effective solution to the problem of agricultural pests; Emerging evidence of the negative impacts of pesticides on the environment and people’s health suggest that these GM crops are not sustainable; There is no scientific consensus on the safety of GM crops – with many doubts and questions unanswered; Bio-fortified GM Golden Rice is not the best solution for vitamin A deficiency; Despite hype around new GM varieties for improved nutrition and climate adaptation industry figures show about 99 per cent of the GM crops grown are still herbicide tolerant, insect resistant or a combination of both.