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).
See all recommended readings...
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 2000-2008.
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.
See all related links...
Glossary
Agricultural
biotechnology concepts and definitions.
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