Benefits on All Levels

Economic Benefits

·         In South Africa, genetically modified cotton has boosted the economy of smallholders in the country

·         30% income increase for farmers investing virus-resistant potatoes

·         40% income increase for farmers investing in weevil- resistant potatoes

·         Farmers also save money from purchasing pesticides and labor costs of spreading it

Environmental Benefits

·         In 2000, because of pesticide resistant crops, farmers used 8.2 million fewer pounds of pesticides

·         GM plants have been developed to rid of heavy metal pollution in the soil

Global Nutrition Benefits

·         A large example of global nutrition is the production of Golden Rice which is extremely high in vitamin A and helps in Asian countries where Vitamin A deficiency is extremely high, leading to blindness

(golden rice v. white rice -->)

Global Health Benefits

·         Genetically engineered potatoes,  tested on rats, have an edible medicine against rotavirus and E. coli