Monsanto

GM Technology Does Deliver

In response to the article "Research Backs Charles: GM Crops Don't Deliver", which has been published in last Sunday's Independent, Monsanto has received a copy of a letter sent to the newspaper for publication, which it reprints in full.

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Sir,

As an American agricultural student studying in London. I was interested to read Geoffrey Lean's front page article last Sunday "Research backs Charles: GM crops don't deliver".

Our family farm in Indiana grows 2500 acres of soybeans, corn and wheat. For the past four years, we have been growing Monsanto's Round-Up Ready soybeans. We started by growing these GM varieties on a small portion of our land, however we have increased our production of GM soybeans to almost 100% of our current soybean production.

We have found that the most recent GM soybean varieties will actually yield up to three bushels (a bushel is 60 pounds) per acre more than the conventional varieties. By using GM technology, we have been able to cut our chemical costs by applying less chemicals, and we have witnessed less weeds in our fields which translates into higher yields and higher quality grain. We have also noticed yield gains the following year in our conventional corn, which has been preceded by GM soybeans. This is because the corn does not have to deal with the presence of chemical residues which did not break down in the soil from the previous years non-GM crop. So not only are we helping our production with GM soybeans, but also the environment by not using residual type chemicals that might also pollute our rivers and streams.

The current study by the University of Nebraska may accurately describe the GM crops of a few years ago, however the new varieties do offer the increased yields that are expected. It should be noted that contrary to your article, this new technology, of which there are now over 1000 GM soybean varieties on offer, DOES deliver. If it didn't, we and 20,000 other US farmers wouldn't choose to use it to better the environment and our production capabilities.

Sincerely,
John Nidlinger