Agriculture Biotechnology Facts
You may have heard of agriculture biotechnology or bioengineered foods, previously referred to as genetically engineered (GE) or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). For thousands of years, humans have intentionally changed the genetic makeup of all the crops we grow through selection and breeding to produce hardier crops that taste better, resist disease and are easier to grow, all while taking up less land and resources. Similar to the way medicines are now produced, advanced technology has changed the way we improve plants and animals. Iowa Corn is committed to providing answers and accurate information to questions from consumers and farmers alike on biotechnology and bioengineered foods.
HOW SAFE IS IT FOR MY FAMILY AND ME TO EAT?
Bioengineered foods currently available on the market have passed strict safety assessments and have been proven to be safe for human health. In fact, bioengineered crops undergo extensive and expensive testing, in contrast to conventional food crops, which receive no such testing.
WHO ENSURES Bioengineered foods ARE SAFE?
Each new bioengineered hybrid must be approved by three U.S. government agencies (United States Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration) for animal, human and environmental safety.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF biotechnology?
According to the U.S. government, bioengineered crops are safe, resist disease better, provide benefits to the environment and can provide a reliable, abundant food source for a growing population. For example, bioengineered crops reduce the amount of pesticide required to be applied, reduce the use of fuel through the reduction in tillage which helps prevent soil erosion and can reduce the amount of mycotoxins in our food.
WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT Bioengineering and agriculture biotechnology?
We want you to have the information and resources you need to be able to have successful discussions with your friends and neighbors about this important topic. Below you will find a number of websites, videos and additional resources about biotechnology.
Additional Resources
Academics Review is an association of academic professors, researchers, teachers and credentialed authors from around the world, who test popular claims against peer-reviewed science.
American Council on Science and Health seeks to restore personal and public health decisions in order to foster a scientifically sound and sensible public health policy for the American people.
Best Food Facts brings consumers objective, trustworthy and accurate information directly from the experts.
CommonGround is a group of farm women from various states creating conversations between women who grow food and the women who buy it. The conversations are based on their personal experience as farmers, but also on science and research.
The Genetic Literacy Project is a non-profit organization funded by grants from non-partisan foundations promoting public awareness of genetics and science literacy.
GMO Answers is an initiative committed to responding to your questions about how food is grown. Their goal is to make information about bioengineeredfood and agriculture easier to access and understand. GMO Answers is funded by the members of The Council for Biotechnology Information.
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications provides information on the adoption of biotech crops globally.
MIT Technology Review is an innovative, digitally oriented global media company that leads the global conversation about technologies that matter.
Sense About Science is a British charitable trust that equips people to make sense of scientific and medical claims in public discussion while promoting public understanding of science.
Publications
Food and You: Feeding The World With Modern Agricultural Biotechnology
Food and You: A Guide To Modern Agricultural Biotechnology
What's the Story: The Scientific Facts about Genetically Modified Food
Videos
GMO concerns? A farm woman responds.
Infographics
Contribution of Biotech Crops to Sustainability
Bioegineered LABELING
What exactly is GMO labeling? Click here to learn more.