Benefits of Biotechnology

Benefits for Farmers

Biotech traits are deployed in seed—primarily in corn and soybeans—to help farmers better manage their crops and improve their yield and profit potential. Traits provide crops with various benefits including protection against insects and disease; water optimization; and increased tolerance to heat, drought and other stressors.

Benefits for Consumers

Biotech crops generally require fewer inputs and resources than conventional crops, resulting in decreased food production costs and lower prices for consumers. Biotechnology helps reduce the price of crops like corn, soybeans and sugar beets by as much as 15‒30 percent.

Debunking Common Myths

Biotech crops are as safe as organic or conventional crops. The development of a commercial biotech trait from discovery to commercialization takes, on average, 13 years and more than $135 million. The regulatory process alone can take 5‒7 years to undergo the rigorous safety tests required.

Regulatory Approval Process

Before a biotech product is commercialized, it must be approved by the regulatory bodies of 60 countries and the European Commission. In the U.S., the federal government oversees the testing and study of biotech products with guidance from agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure safety for growers, consumers and the environment.