Perspective on Agricultural Biotechnology from the USDA

Overview

Agricultural biotechnology has been advancing rapidly; and for all the promises it offers, it poses as many questions. Agricultural biotechnology is rewriting the rules in several key areas—agricultural research policy, industry structure, production and marketing, consumer preference, and world food demand—and public policy is struggling to keep up. Much of the current interest in biotechnology stems from the rapid diffusion in North America and other exporting countries, like Argentina, of genetically engineered (GE) crops such as cotton, soybeans, corn, and canola, and from the uneasy consumer response in Europe as compared with the United States.

 

Features

The Changing Face of the U.S. Grain System—U.S. grain handling and marketing is increasingly marked by product differentiation and market segmentation. More specialty crops now require either some form of segregation or full-scale identity preservation to keep them separate from conventional commodities. Market segmentation within the grain system is driven by the need to preserve market value or ensure product purity (2/07).

 

The First Decade of Genetically Engineered Crops in the United States—Over the past ten years, farmers have adopted genetically engineered (GE) varieties of corn, soybeans, and cotton widely and at rapid rate and benefited from such adoption. While the level of consumer concerns about foods that contain GE ingredients varies by country, with European consumers being most concerned, these concerns have not had a large impact on the market for these foods in the United States (4/06).

 

Recommended Readings

Use of Crop Genetically Engineered Crops Rising—Driven by farmers' expectations of higher yields, savings in management time, and lower pesticide costs, the adoption of first-generation genetically engineered crop varieties with enhanced input traits has increased rapidly. Adoption of genetically engineered soybeans, corn, and cotton by U.S. farmers has climbed most years since introduction. These data cover the 2000-07 period by State. See also the Amber Waves Summary (7/07).

 

Economic Issues in Agricultural Biotechnology—The emergence of agricultural biotechnology introduces new concerns about the supply of new technology and its impact on the marketplace New developments in marketing and contractual arrangements between farmers and grain and food processors will likely become critical issues as more genetically engineered (GE) crops enter the marketplace. This report explores some implications for grades and standards for GE products, as well as the extent of biotechnology adoption by U.S. farmers and some of the farm-level effects. Other topics include important advances in biological science, the roles of public and private research, and recent changes in input industry structure. Also examined are consumer preferences, particularly U.S. versus European, and biotechnology's potential to feed a growing world population (3/01).

 

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Related Data Products

Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S.—This data product provides information on the extent of adoption of genetically engineered herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant crops in the United States 2000-2009.

Agricultural Biotechnology Intellectual Property—This database identifies and describes U.S. utility patents on inventions in biotechnology and other biological processes—with issue dates between 1976 and 2000—that are used in food and agriculture. The database also provides information about the ownership of these patents, whether patents are held in the public or private sector, and changes in patent ownership due to firm mergers, acquisitions, and spinoffs.

 

Related Briefing Rooms

Agricultural Chemicals and Production Technology
Agricultural Research and Productivity

 

Related Links

USDA's Agricultural Biotechnology—Includes news, laws, and regulations, and info on research and trade.

APHIS' Agricultural Biotechnology—Regulations, permitting, and more.

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Glossary

Agricultural biotechnology concepts and definitions.