Environmental impact of genetically modified crops.

Chapter 7 (Page no: 115)

Herbicide-tolerant genetically modified crops: resistance management.

The adoption of transgenic herbicide-resistant crops has made an unfathomable change in global agriculture within the last decade. Currently, an estimated 114.3 million ha of transgenic crops are planted throughout a variety of agroecosystems in 23 developing and industrial countries. Approximately 90% of the land area with transgenic crops includes a trait for resistance to glyphosate herbicide. While there are numerous benefits to society ascribed to transgenic crops, there are also a number of risks, perceived and real, to the inclusion of transgenic crops in agriculture. Importantly, scientists and agronomists do not always address the questions posed by society and thus a disconnect between the scientific community and global consumers exists. Some of the concerns expressed by society are not upheld by the available science. However, the issue of transgene movement, either by pollen or seed, to non-transgenic crops and weeds is real and should be addressed in a manner that effectively alleviates the questions from the people. This chapter addresses some of these questions about the benefits and risks of transgenic crops, focusing specifically on glyphosate-resistant crops. The value that transgenic genetically modified crops (GMCs) provide, both economically and environmentally, will be described. Appropriately, the risks attributed to these crops will also be discussed. Other topics that will be included are the impact of transgenic crops on biological diversity, their coexistence with non-transgenic crops and the impact that transgenic crops and supporting agronomic management systems have on weed communities, specifically population shifts, evolved resistance and transgene flow to near-relative weeds.

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