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Experts Debate the Safety & Benefits of Genetically Modified Crops
2008 marked the 13-year of use of genetically modified food crops with more than 13.3 million farmers in 25 countries planting more than 125 million hectares (309 million acres). In this compilation video, 14 globally recognized and distinguished scientists, economists, and thought leaders discuss the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture to the environment, its proven safety, and its contributions to the lives of third-world farm families and communities during the first decade of use (1996-2005).
Length: 11:59
2008 marked the 13-year of use of genetically modified food crops with more than 13.3 million farmers in 25 countries planting more than 125 million hectares (309 million acres). In this compilation video, 14 globally recognized and distinguished scientists, economists, and thought leaders discuss the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture to the environment, its proven safety, and its contributions to the lives of third-world farm families and communities during the first decade of use (1996-2005).
Length: 11:59
Click on an individual's name to view his or her video conversation, transcript, biographical sketch and related article.
Dr. Klaus Ammann, Botanist, Switzerland
A little more than 10 percent of the available land on the planet today is arable and permanent cropland – challenging farmers worldwide to produce more food for a growing population, while minimizing the effect on biodiversity. Swiss Botanist Dr. Klaus Ammann, former director of the Botanical Garden and an Honorary Professor Emeritus at the University of Bern, discusses the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture, the importance of biodiversity, and why genetically modified (GM) crops are good for the environment, enabling farmers to adopt practices that benefit biodiversity.
Length: 2:55
A little more than 10 percent of the available land on the planet today is arable and permanent cropland – challenging farmers worldwide to produce more food for a growing population, while minimizing the effect on biodiversity. Swiss Botanist Dr. Klaus Ammann, former director of the Botanical Garden and an Honorary Professor Emeritus at the University of Bern, discusses the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture, the importance of biodiversity, and why genetically modified (GM) crops are good for the environment, enabling farmers to adopt practices that benefit biodiversity.
Length: 2:55
Dr. Roger Beachy, Plant Pathologist, USA
Renowned plant pathologist Dr. Roger Beachy pioneered the development of virus-resistance in plants, leading to the development of the world’s first GM food crop. His technique to produce virus resistance in tomatoes has been replicated by researchers globally to produce resistance to a number of virus diseases in other genetically engineered plants. He describes the research leading to the introduction of GM crops and the proven safety and benefits of biotechnology in agriculture.
Length: 3:13
Renowned plant pathologist Dr. Roger Beachy pioneered the development of virus-resistance in plants, leading to the development of the world’s first GM food crop. His technique to produce virus resistance in tomatoes has been replicated by researchers globally to produce resistance to a number of virus diseases in other genetically engineered plants. He describes the research leading to the introduction of GM crops and the proven safety and benefits of biotechnology in agriculture.
Length: 3:13
Dr. Laveesh Bhandari, Economist, India
Indian farmers have grown GM cotton since 2002 and now represent the most rapid adopters of this new technology in farming due to the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture. Indian economist Laveesh Bhandari discusses how GM cotton has positively impacted families and communities through increased income, greater access to healthcare services and better education.
Length: 2:21
Indian farmers have grown GM cotton since 2002 and now represent the most rapid adopters of this new technology in farming due to the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture. Indian economist Laveesh Bhandari discusses how GM cotton has positively impacted families and communities through increased income, greater access to healthcare services and better education.
Length: 2:21
Dr. Norman Borlaug, Nobel Laureate, USA
Dr. Norman Borlaug, the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize recipient and leader of the Green Revolution, is credited with increasing agricultural yields and saving millions from starvation. Dr. Borlaug shares his views on the safety and benefits of biotechnology in agriculture to continue helping farmers worldwide increase food production, while preserving the environment through a reduction in pesticide applications and soil erosion.
Length: 1:56
Dr. Norman Borlaug, the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize recipient and leader of the Green Revolution, is credited with increasing agricultural yields and saving millions from starvation. Dr. Borlaug shares his views on the safety and benefits of biotechnology in agriculture to continue helping farmers worldwide increase food production, while preserving the environment through a reduction in pesticide applications and soil erosion.
Length: 1:56
Graham Brookes, Agricultural Economist, UK
Graham Brookes, an agricultural economist and director of UK-based PG Economics, discusses the magnitude of the economic and environmental benefits or advantages of biotechnology in agriculture since 1996 – specifically citing a reduction in pesticide applications of 172,000 metric tons across four main biotech crops, an increase in global farm income of US$28 billion, and a reduction in greenhouse gases of 10 million metric tons.
Length: 3:33
Graham Brookes, an agricultural economist and director of UK-based PG Economics, discusses the magnitude of the economic and environmental benefits or advantages of biotechnology in agriculture since 1996 – specifically citing a reduction in pesticide applications of 172,000 metric tons across four main biotech crops, an increase in global farm income of US$28 billion, and a reduction in greenhouse gases of 10 million metric tons.
Length: 3:33
Mary Lee Chin, Dietitian, USA
Numerous international organizations have endorsed the health and environmental safety of biotechnology in agriculture. Registered dietitian and member of the American Dietetic Association Mary Lee Chin describes the process of plant biotechnology, as well as the safety and benefits of food biotechnology.
Length: 2:35
Numerous international organizations have endorsed the health and environmental safety of biotechnology in agriculture. Registered dietitian and member of the American Dietetic Association Mary Lee Chin describes the process of plant biotechnology, as well as the safety and benefits of food biotechnology.
Length: 2:35
Dr. Luciana Di Ciero, Plant Pathologist, Brazil
GM crops are among the most studied and reviewed food crops in the world. Dr. Luciana Di Ciero — a scientific researcher in the Forest Genetic Research and Biotechnology Laboratory at the University of Sao Paulo — describes the process used to test and evaluate plant biotechnology traits. She discusses the pros and cons of genetic engineering and shares her confidence in the safety of genetically modified foods and crops. She believes the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture will benefit her health, her daughters’ health, and the health of the environment.
Length: 2:29
GM crops are among the most studied and reviewed food crops in the world. Dr. Luciana Di Ciero — a scientific researcher in the Forest Genetic Research and Biotechnology Laboratory at the University of Sao Paulo — describes the process used to test and evaluate plant biotechnology traits. She discusses the pros and cons of genetic engineering and shares her confidence in the safety of genetically modified foods and crops. She believes the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture will benefit her health, her daughters’ health, and the health of the environment.
Length: 2:29
Dr. Clive James, Agricultural Scientist, Canada
Since first commercialized, global planted area of GM crops has increased by more than seventy-fold from 4.2 million acres (1.7 million hectares) in six countries in 1996 to 309 million acres (125 million hectares) in 25 countries in 2008. ISAAA Chairman Clive James summarizes the global status of GM crops – highlighting results from 2005 as well as the importance of agriculture in developing countries and the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture from the first decade of commercialization.
Length: 3:35
Dr. Clive James is also featured in a second video, in which he summarizes his report about statistics and facts on genetically modified crops in 2007.
Since first commercialized, global planted area of GM crops has increased by more than seventy-fold from 4.2 million acres (1.7 million hectares) in six countries in 1996 to 309 million acres (125 million hectares) in 25 countries in 2008. ISAAA Chairman Clive James summarizes the global status of GM crops – highlighting results from 2005 as well as the importance of agriculture in developing countries and the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture from the first decade of commercialization.
Length: 3:35
Dr. Clive James is also featured in a second video, in which he summarizes his report about statistics and facts on genetically modified crops in 2007.
The Honorable Ruth Oniang'o, Ph.D., Kenyan Parliament
Twenty-five percent of the undernourished people in the developing world are located in sub-Saharan Africa, where 50-75 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture. The Honorable Ruth Oniang'o – member of the Parliament of Kenya and Professor of Food Science and Nutrition at Jomo Kenyatta University – expresses an urgent need to provide African farmers with access to the benefits of food biotechnology to address world hunger.
Length: 2:48
Twenty-five percent of the undernourished people in the developing world are located in sub-Saharan Africa, where 50-75 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture. The Honorable Ruth Oniang'o – member of the Parliament of Kenya and Professor of Food Science and Nutrition at Jomo Kenyatta University – expresses an urgent need to provide African farmers with access to the benefits of food biotechnology to address world hunger.
Length: 2:48
Dr. Per Pinstrup-Andersen, Agricultural Economist, USA
Despite increasing agricultural productivity throughout the 20th century, more than 800 million people today do not know where they will get their next meal. Per Pinstrup-Andersen – the 2001 World Food Prize Laureate, an ag economist and professor of food, nutrition and public policy at Cornell University – discuses the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering food and shares his support for the use of biotechnology in agriculture in developing countries to increase food production and end hunger and malnutrition.
Length: 3:05
Despite increasing agricultural productivity throughout the 20th century, more than 800 million people today do not know where they will get their next meal. Per Pinstrup-Andersen – the 2001 World Food Prize Laureate, an ag economist and professor of food, nutrition and public policy at Cornell University – discuses the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering food and shares his support for the use of biotechnology in agriculture in developing countries to increase food production and end hunger and malnutrition.
Length: 3:05
Dr. Elíbio Rech, Embrapa Researcher, Brazil
More thoroughly studied, regulated and understood than any crop or food in history, biotechnology foods and crops are recognized by experts and regulatory authorities worldwide as being as safe as crops and foods produced through traditional methods. Dr. Elíbio Rech, a researcher at Embrapa in Brazil, discusses the worldwide need for biotechnology in agriculture, as well as the biotechnology regulation and safety of this technology. He discusses how biotechnology in agriculture meets three key goals – an increase in quality, a decrease in pesticide applications and lowered production costs.
Length: 2:36
More thoroughly studied, regulated and understood than any crop or food in history, biotechnology foods and crops are recognized by experts and regulatory authorities worldwide as being as safe as crops and foods produced through traditional methods. Dr. Elíbio Rech, a researcher at Embrapa in Brazil, discusses the worldwide need for biotechnology in agriculture, as well as the biotechnology regulation and safety of this technology. He discusses how biotechnology in agriculture meets three key goals – an increase in quality, a decrease in pesticide applications and lowered production costs.
Length: 2:36
Dr. C. Ford Runge, Agricultural Economist, USA
In crop year 2003-04, approximately US$44 billion in crop value was produced worldwide from biotech crops. Agricultural economists, including Dr. C. Ford Runge, director of the Center for International Food and Agricultural Policy (CIFAP), anticipate this figure will grow as acreage planted with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) expands each year. Dr. Runge discusses his research on the economic aspects of agricultural biotechnology in the poorest developing countries, as well as the global crop economy.
Length: 2:39
In crop year 2003-04, approximately US$44 billion in crop value was produced worldwide from biotech crops. Agricultural economists, including Dr. C. Ford Runge, director of the Center for International Food and Agricultural Policy (CIFAP), anticipate this figure will grow as acreage planted with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) expands each year. Dr. Runge discusses his research on the economic aspects of agricultural biotechnology in the poorest developing countries, as well as the global crop economy.
Length: 2:39
Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, Economist, USA
About one billion people — or one-sixth of the world's population — live in extreme poverty on less than $1 per day. Dr. Jeffrey Sachs — director of The Earth Institute and UN Millennium Project — has been involved in identifying the challenges to and solutions for poverty alleviation for more than 20 years. He describes the need and potential for the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture to help the poorest farmers grow more food and convert subsistence agriculture into commercial farming. He believes the pros of genetically modified foods can contribute to alleviating poverty and hunger in developing countries.
Length: 3:39
About one billion people — or one-sixth of the world's population — live in extreme poverty on less than $1 per day. Dr. Jeffrey Sachs — director of The Earth Institute and UN Millennium Project — has been involved in identifying the challenges to and solutions for poverty alleviation for more than 20 years. He describes the need and potential for the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture to help the poorest farmers grow more food and convert subsistence agriculture into commercial farming. He believes the pros of genetically modified foods can contribute to alleviating poverty and hunger in developing countries.
Length: 3:39
The Honorable Lord Taverne, UK Parliament
A proven 13-year history of safe use of genetically modified food crops supports the conclusion that the regulatory process for biotech crops has been successful with no evidence of any harm to health or to the environment. Lord Taverne, member, House of Lords, British Parliament, encourages skeptics to consider the peer-reviewed, reproducible research documenting the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture for the environment – reduced pesticide applications, greater productivity, less impact on biodiversity – as well as the benefits for society, such as the potential to fight disease and hunger, or demonstrated economic improvements for third-world growers.
Length: 3:10
A proven 13-year history of safe use of genetically modified food crops supports the conclusion that the regulatory process for biotech crops has been successful with no evidence of any harm to health or to the environment. Lord Taverne, member, House of Lords, British Parliament, encourages skeptics to consider the peer-reviewed, reproducible research documenting the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture for the environment – reduced pesticide applications, greater productivity, less impact on biodiversity – as well as the benefits for society, such as the potential to fight disease and hunger, or demonstrated economic improvements for third-world growers.
Length: 3:10
Dr. Ouola Traoré, Agronomist, Burkina Faso
Where possible, Burkinabe farmers attempt to produce cotton as a cash crop, despite frequent drought and insect infestations. Since 2003, Dr. Traoré, head of the cotton program at the Institute for the Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA), has conducted field trials on GM cotton crops to evaluate the safety and potential benefits of biotechnology in agriculture in Burkina Faso. Note: This conversation with Dr. Traoré occurred prior to 2008 when farmers first planted and realized the advantages of transgenic cotton crops in Burkina Faso.
Length: 2:57
Where possible, Burkinabe farmers attempt to produce cotton as a cash crop, despite frequent drought and insect infestations. Since 2003, Dr. Traoré, head of the cotton program at the Institute for the Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA), has conducted field trials on GM cotton crops to evaluate the safety and potential benefits of biotechnology in agriculture in Burkina Faso. Note: This conversation with Dr. Traoré occurred prior to 2008 when farmers first planted and realized the advantages of transgenic cotton crops in Burkina Faso.
Length: 2:57
French farmers discuss the benefits of GM crops and explain why they think the country needs to reevaluate and adopt plant biotechnology.
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