What are GMOs good for?
Almost all of the transgenic crops currently being grown commercially have been designed to provide benefit to farmers by reducing the cost or effort required to control insect pests, plant diseases, or weeds. These “first generation” GM crops lower production costs for farmers, but the crop itself is not substantially different for consumers either in appearance, taste, or nutritional value. A “second generation” of GM plants designed with new traits of direct value to consumers is now beginning to appear. A “third generation” of GMOs with greater abilities to resist abiotic stress such as drought, or heat, or salt is emerging from the research pipeline as well. The greatest benefits from planting GMOs have so far been realized by farmers in the United States, China, Argentina, India, South Africa and Brazil where more GMOs are planted. The leading GM crops grown commercially are Maize, Cotton, Canola and Soybean.
