Dueling Reports on Genetically Modified Crops

Two reports focusing on genetically engineered crops were released yesterday with very different conclusions. The first report, produced by the nonprofits Center for Food Safety and Friends of the Earth, states that such crops increase pesticide use and decrease global food security. The second report, funded partially by industry, takes the opposite view.  

One main point of contention between the two reports is the view toward a bacterial gene implanted in crops that protects vegetables from a common herbicide. While industry argues that this yields more plentiful crops, the nonprofits show that the gene increasingly is not working to fend off insects (requiring more, different pesticide use), and that the gene itself has spread to weed species (rendering it useless, requiring even more, different pesticide use).

We’ll go with Friends of the Earth and the Center for Food Safety on this one. GAP has worked with these groups on several occasions and found each to be solid partners in standing up for consumer and environmental rights.

Plus, their report isn’t founded by industry.

-- Dylan Blaylock