Bt Cotton

Bt cotton provides significant multiple benefits to producers and society (Qaim and de Janvry 2002, Ismael et al 2002a,b,c, 2001, Carpenter et al 2002, Gianessi et al 2002, ISAAA 2002a,b,c,d,e, Huang et al 2002, Pray et al 2002, 2001, Naik 2001, Benedict and Altman 2001, Edge et al 2001, Perlak et al 2001, Traxler et al 2001). These benefits result in significant agronomic, environmental, social and economic advantages. The benefits are realized by growers through: increased yields; reduced production costs; environmental benefits from reduced use of broad spectrum synthetic insecticides; health benefits from using a safer form of insect control; and social benefits that arise from increasing incomes while saving valuable time for farmers and their families, particularly in developing countries. The principal agronomic, environmental, social and economic benefits are discussed as well as the secondary benefits that derive from them.

1. Agronomic Benefits
2. Environmental Benefits
   1. Reduction in use of cotton insecticides
   2. Less insecticides in aquifers and the environment
   3. Farmer exposure to insecticide and health implications
   4. Reduced production risks and enhanced opportunities to grow Bt cotton
   5. Increased populations of beneficial insects
   6. Reduced risk for wildlife
   7. Reduced fuel and raw material consumption, and pollution
3. Social benefits
   1. Social implications of saving water by reducing number of insecticide sprays
4. Economic benefits
   1. China
   2. USA
   3. India
   4. Others
   5. Distribution of economic surplus to Bt cotton stakeholders

Related topics:

• The cotton crop
• Global distribution of cotton in developing and industrial countries, by area, production, consumption, imports, and exports
• Number of cotton farmers worldwide and size of farms
• Insect pests of cotton
• Crop losses due to insect pests of cotton and the cost of control
• Global insecticide usage on cotton
• The use of Bt genes in cotton
• Assessment of environmental risk and Insect Resistance Management (IRM) strategies
• Global adoption of Bt cotton
• Bt cotton experience to date
• Future global potential for Bt cotton: opportunities and challenges
• Highlights

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]

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