June 2013

By Jill Richardson /AlterNet / June 25, 2013

Oops. The World Food Prize committee’s got a bit of egg on its face—genetically engineered egg. They just awarded [3] the World Food Prize to three scientists, including one from Syngenta and one from Monsanto, who invented genetic engineering because, they say [4], the technology increases crop yields and decreases pesticide use. (Perhaps not coincidentally, Monsanto and Syngenta are major sponsors [5] of the World Food Prize, along with a third biotech giant, Dupont Pioneer.)

Monsanto makes the same case on its website [6], saying:

“Since the advent of biotechnology, there have been a number of claims from anti-biotechnology activists that genetically modified (GM) crops don’t increase yields. Some have claimed that GM crops actually have lower yields than non-GM crops… GM crops generally have higher yields due to both breeding and biotechnology.”

But that’s not actually the case. A new peer-reviewed study published in the International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability [7] examined those claims and found that conventional plant breeding, not genetic engineering, is responsible for yield increases in major U.S. crops. Additionally, GM crops, also known as genetically engineered (GE) crops, can’t even take credit for reductions in pesticide use.