How GMO Crops Impact Our World

Many people wonder what impacts GMO crops have on our world. “GMO” (genetically
modified organism) is the common term consumers and popular media use to describe a plant,
animal, or microorganism that has had its genetic material (DNA) changed using technology that
generally involves the specific modification of DNA, including the transfer of specific DNA from one
organism to another. Scientists often refer to this process as genetic engineering (/food/foodnew-
plant-varieties/understanding-new-plant-varieties). Since the first genetically engineered crops, or
GMOs, for sale to consumers were planted in the 1990s, researchers have tracked their impacts on
and off the farm.

Why do farmers use GMO crops?

Most of the GMO crops grown today were developed to help farmers prevent crop loss. The
three most common traits found in GMO crops are: Resistance to insect damage Tolerance to
herbicides Resistance to plant viruses For GMO crops that are resistant to insect damage, farmers
can apply fewer spray pesticides to protect the crops. GMO crops that are tolerant to herbicides help
farmers control weeds without damaging the crops. When farmers use these herbicide-tolerant
crops they do not need to till the soil, which they normally do to get rid of weeds. This no-till
planting helps to maintain soil health and lower fuel and labor use. Taken together, studies have
shown positive economic and environmental impacts. The GMO papaya, called the Rainbow papaya ,
is an example of a GMO crop developed to be resistant to a virus. When the ringspot virus
threatened the Hawaii papaya industry and the livelihoods of Hawaiian papaya farmers, plant
scientists developed the ringspot virus-resistant Rainbow papaya. The Rainbow papaya was
commercially planted in 1998, and today it is grown all over Hawaii and exported to Japan.

Do GMOs have impacts beyond the farm?

The most common GMO crops were developed to address the needs of farmers, but in turn
they can help foods become more accessible and affordable for consumers. Some GMO crops were
developed specifically to benefit consumers. For example, a GMO soybean that is used to create a
healthier oil is commercially grown and available. GMO apples that do not brown when cut are now
available for sale and may help reduce food waste. Plant scientists continue to develop GMO crops
that they hope will benefit consumers.

Do GMOs have impacts outside the United States?

GMOs also impact the lives of farmers in other parts of the world. The U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) is working with partner countries to use genetic engineering to
improve staple crops, the basic foods that make up a large portion of people’s diets. For example, a
GMO eggplant developed to be insect resistant has been slowly released to farmers in Bangladesh
since 2014. Farmers who grow GMO eggplants are earning more and have less exposure to
pesticides. USAID is also working with partner countries in Africa and elsewhere on several staple
crops, such as virus-resistant cassava , insect-resistant cowpea , and blight-resistant potato.

https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/how-gmo-crops-impact-our-world