Biotech Updates

Impacts of GE Crops on Biodiversity

June 3, 2011

Currently commercialized genetically engineered crops have reduced the impacts of agriculture on biodiversity. This has been possible through enhanced adoption of conservation tillage practices, reduction of insecticide use, and use of more environmentally benign herbicides. Janet Carpenter advances these thoughts in Impacts of GE crops on biodiversity in the June 2011 issue of ISB News Report.

Carpenter reviewed the literature on the potential impacts of GE crops on the environment on three levels: crop, farm and landscape scales. "From a broader perspective," Carpenter noted, "GE crops may actually increase crop diversity by enhancing underutilized alternative crops, making them more suitable for widespread domestication."

Read the full article at http://www.isb.vt.edu/news/2011/Jun/Impacts-GE-Crops-Biodiversity.pdf.