Studie "The GMO-emperor has no clothes" (engl.) - Nabu

scientist insisted that resistance existed and
instructed me to increase my application rates. The
increase in application proved ineffectual. In 2008,
we were forced to include the use of 2,4-D and an
AIS residual in our program. Like most farmers,
we are very sensitive to environmental issues,
and we were very reluctant to return to using
tillage and more toxic herbicides for weed control.
However, no other solutions were then or now
readily available to eradicate the weed problems
caused by development of glyphosate resistance”.
Non-target pest populations in Bt cotton fields
have exploded, which will likely erode and
counteract any decrease in pesticide use (Glenn
Davis Stone. Field versus Farm in Warangal: Bt
cotton, Higher Yields, and Larger Questions. World
Development, 2011; 39 (3): 387)
When introduced to regions such as China,
Taiwan, Japan, Korea and former USSR where
wild relatives of soy are found, Monsanto’s
Roundup Ready Soya bean could transfer the
herbicide resistant genes to wild relatives leading to
new weed problems.
The native biodiversity richness of the Third
World thus increases the environmental risks of
introduced genetically modified species.
The genetic engineering miracle is quite clearly
faltering in farmers’ fields. Yet the information on
the hazards and risks does not accompany the sales
promotion of genetically engineered crops in India.
Nor does the false promise of the biotech miracle
inform farmers that the genetic engineering era
of farming also requires ‘high-tech slavery’ for
farmers.
False Promises
1. Reduced Use of Chemicals
Despite claims that genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) will lower the levels of chemicals
(pesticides and herbicides) used, this has not been
the case. This is of great concern both because
of the negative impacts of these chemicals on
ecosystems and humans, and because there is the
danger that increased chemical use will cause pests
and weeds to develop resistance, requiring even
more chemicals in order to manage them.
In India:
A survey conducted by Navdanya in Vidharbha
showed that pesticide use has increased 13-fold
there since Bt cotton was introduced.
A study recently published in the Review
of Agrarian Studies also showed a higher
expenditure on chemical pesticides for Bt
cotton than for other varieties for small farmers.
(Are there Benefits from the Cultivation of Bt cotton?
Review of Agrarian Studies Vol 1(1) January-
June 2011. Madhura Swaminathan* and Vikas
Rawal)
In China, where Bt cotton is widely planted:
Populations of mirid bugs, pests that
previously posed only a minor problem, have
increased 12-fold since 1997. A 2008 study in
the International Journal of Biotechnology
found that any financial benefits of planting
Bt cotton had been eroded by the increasing
use of pesticides needed to combat non-target
pests. (“Benefits of Bt cotton elude farmers
in China” GM Watch, http://www.gmwatch.org/
latest-listing/1-news-items/13089).
In the US, due mainly to the widespread use
of Roundup Ready seeds:
Herbicide use increased 15 percent (318
million additional pounds) from 1994 to
2005—an average increase of ¼ pound per
each acre planted with GM seed—according
to a 2009 report published by the Organic
Center. (http://www.organic-center.org/science.pest.
php?action=view&report_id=159).
The same report found that in 2008, GM crops
required 26 percent more pounds of pesticides
per acre than acres planted with conventional
varieties, and projects that this trend will
continue due the spread of glyphosate-resistant
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