Global Status of GM Crops

North America

Countries with information on crop biotechnology:

GM crops have been available in North America since the mid-1990s when the first delayed-ripening tomato was released. However, research and development in the area started as early as the eighties and continues significantly. There is intensive research going on to develop GM products with more direct benefits to consumers.

The following products will likely be available to consumers in the near future:

Soybean and canola oils containing healthier fatty acids
Peas grown to remain sweeter and produce higher crop yields
Smaller seedless melons
Bananas and pineapples with delayed-ripening qualities
Fungal resistant bananas
Higher protein rice
Tomatoes with higher antioxidant content
Fruits and vegetables with higher levels of vitamins

Further down the road are products that include:

Crops tolerant to certain stresses e.g. drought, floods, salts, metals, heat, and cold
Safer foods through reduction of allergenic proteins
Edible vaccines
Nitrogen fixing crops
Plants that produce latex

For a full list of field trials, go to the OECD Database of Field Trials.

Other Countries:

Summary Report on the Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops - [View the 2004 report]

Transgenic Crops - [Click Here]

Extensive Study on Bt Cotton - [Click Here]

Download the complete copy of the ISAAA Briefs on Global Status/Review of GM Crops - [Click Here]

SciDev.Net's dossier on GM crops - [Click here]

Global Status of Approved Genetically Modified Plants - [Click here]

Home :: Global Status :: CBT Update :: Info Resource :: Events :: BICs :: Directory :: About Us :: Editorial Policy