Research Shows GM Crops with Health Benefits Have Large Market Potential

Genetically modified crops with increased vitamin and/or mineral content have the potential to improve public health, but their availability for consumers is still hampered. Research from Ghent University, recently published in Nature Biotechnology, has shown that these crops have a promising market potential.

The report reveals that consumers are willing to pay more for GMOs with health benefits, with premiums ranging from 20 percent to 70 percent. This differs from GMOs with farmer benefits, which are only accepted by consumers when they are offered at a discount. Various GM crops with health benefits have been developed in previous years. Notable examples include rice enriched with pro-vitamin A (also known as ‘Golden Rice') and folate-enriched rice, developed at Ghent University.

For more details, read: https://www.ugent.be/en/news/bulletin/gmos-with-health-benefits-have-large-market-potential. The paper is available at: doi:10.1038/nbt.3110 (2015).