consumers in developing countries; these could provide the key to a solution and
discern whether biotechnology can benefit the poor in developing countries.
The use of biotechnology in agriculture and medicine has produced an
increasing number of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and products derived
from them. The rapid spread of genetically modified (GM) crops shows the
biotechnology pace transforming the commercial landscape (Persley 1999).
According to ISAAA (2012) biotech crop hectares increased by an unprecedented
100-fold, from 1.7 million ha in 1996, to 170 million ha in 2012 (Fig. 1.2).
Of the 28 countries which planted biotech crops in 2012 (Table 1.1), 20 were
developing and 8 were industrial countries; and it is noted that more than half the
world’s population, 60 % or *4 billion people, live in the 28 countries planting
biotech crops (ISAAA 2012).
1.3.2.2 Environment Benefits Offered by Biotech Crops
Impact on insecticide/herbicide use and impact on carbon emissions are two key
aspects of environmental impact. From 1996 to 2011, biotech crops have contributed to food security, sustainability, and the environment/climate change by
increasing crop production valued at US$98.2 billion; providing a better environment by saving 473 million kg of pesticides; in 2011 alone reducing CO 2 emissions
by 23.1 billion kg, equivalent to taking 10.2 million cars off the road for 1 year;
conserving biodiversity by saving 108.7 million ha of land; and helped alleviate
poverty for [15.0 million small farmers and their families totaling [50 million
Fig. 1.2 Global area of biotech crops, 1996–2012: industrial and developing countries.
Reproduced from ISAAA (2012)
8
L. Garcia-Mier et al.
discern whether biotechnology can benefit the poor in developing countries.
The use of biotechnology in agriculture and medicine has produced an
increasing number of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and products derived
from them. The rapid spread of genetically modified (GM) crops shows the
biotechnology pace transforming the commercial landscape (Persley 1999).
According to ISAAA (2012) biotech crop hectares increased by an unprecedented
100-fold, from 1.7 million ha in 1996, to 170 million ha in 2012 (Fig. 1.2).
Of the 28 countries which planted biotech crops in 2012 (Table 1.1), 20 were
developing and 8 were industrial countries; and it is noted that more than half the
world’s population, 60 % or *4 billion people, live in the 28 countries planting
biotech crops (ISAAA 2012).
1.3.2.2 Environment Benefits Offered by Biotech Crops
Impact on insecticide/herbicide use and impact on carbon emissions are two key
aspects of environmental impact. From 1996 to 2011, biotech crops have contributed to food security, sustainability, and the environment/climate change by
increasing crop production valued at US$98.2 billion; providing a better environment by saving 473 million kg of pesticides; in 2011 alone reducing CO 2 emissions
by 23.1 billion kg, equivalent to taking 10.2 million cars off the road for 1 year;
conserving biodiversity by saving 108.7 million ha of land; and helped alleviate
poverty for [15.0 million small farmers and their families totaling [50 million
Fig. 1.2 Global area of biotech crops, 1996–2012: industrial and developing countries.
Reproduced from ISAAA (2012)
8
L. Garcia-Mier et al.