Environmental
One of the main intentions when creating Bt cotton was to benefit the environment, as cotton plants were being destroyed by pests and insects, and too many insecticides and pesticides were being used and polluting the air.
One benefit from the use of Bt cotton is the reduced used of insecticides and pesticides. Insecticides and pesticides that are used to kill the pests that feed on cotton are simply chemicals. When these chemicals are sprayed in these forms, they are polluting the air around them, the plants and animals, including humans, that are around them. By using Bt cotton, more harmful insects and plants are being "disabled" by the plat itself, and therefore the need for insecticides and pesticides to get rid of these pests is not as necessary.
Another benefit to the environment when using Bt cotton is that it reduces the need for disposal of pesticide and insecticide containers and waste. Since pesticides and insecticides are chemicals, their containers must be disposed of properly, which is a much different process than just throwing them in the garbage. They must be taken to special hazardous waste facilities, which pose many risks to the environment. this reduction of uses of pesticides and insecticides results in less harmful chemicals being a threat to the environment in hazardous waste facilities.
Furthermore, Bt cotton benefit humans by reducing pesticide use. Pesticides must be applied to the crops somehow, and usually this is done by a farmer spraying them on the crops him/herself. This exposes them to the harmful chemicals of the pesticide, and therefore if they don't have to used as many pesticides or spray them less often since they have Bt cotton, they will not be exposed to these chemicals as much and would not be at risk of developing sicknesses or diseases.
Finally, due to the decreased demand of pesticides, there isn't as much need for manufacturing them. This would conserve fuel oil that is required to manufacture, distribute, and apply insecticides, saving the air from the gas pollution.
(Purcell, J., & Perlak, F. (2004))
One benefit from the use of Bt cotton is the reduced used of insecticides and pesticides. Insecticides and pesticides that are used to kill the pests that feed on cotton are simply chemicals. When these chemicals are sprayed in these forms, they are polluting the air around them, the plants and animals, including humans, that are around them. By using Bt cotton, more harmful insects and plants are being "disabled" by the plat itself, and therefore the need for insecticides and pesticides to get rid of these pests is not as necessary.
Another benefit to the environment when using Bt cotton is that it reduces the need for disposal of pesticide and insecticide containers and waste. Since pesticides and insecticides are chemicals, their containers must be disposed of properly, which is a much different process than just throwing them in the garbage. They must be taken to special hazardous waste facilities, which pose many risks to the environment. this reduction of uses of pesticides and insecticides results in less harmful chemicals being a threat to the environment in hazardous waste facilities.
Furthermore, Bt cotton benefit humans by reducing pesticide use. Pesticides must be applied to the crops somehow, and usually this is done by a farmer spraying them on the crops him/herself. This exposes them to the harmful chemicals of the pesticide, and therefore if they don't have to used as many pesticides or spray them less often since they have Bt cotton, they will not be exposed to these chemicals as much and would not be at risk of developing sicknesses or diseases.
Finally, due to the decreased demand of pesticides, there isn't as much need for manufacturing them. This would conserve fuel oil that is required to manufacture, distribute, and apply insecticides, saving the air from the gas pollution.
(Purcell, J., & Perlak, F. (2004))
Economic
Along with the environmental benefits, saving and making money was another consideration when developing Bt cotton.
To begin with, the crops now being protected by the Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab genes means that less are being destroyed by pests such as bollworms, and therefore farmers yields are increasing. This means that they have more healthy crop to cultivate and sell, ultimately increasing their income.
Also, since less pesticides are needed or used to prevent the destruction of the crop, money is saved because less pesticides are required to be purchased, as well as the equipment that is necessary for spraying. This means that the farmers will save money in this area, which could be spent on other important things. This reduction in cost results in savings, from the increased income and the decreased costs of pesticides.
(Purcell, J., & Perlak, F. (2004))
To begin with, the crops now being protected by the Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab genes means that less are being destroyed by pests such as bollworms, and therefore farmers yields are increasing. This means that they have more healthy crop to cultivate and sell, ultimately increasing their income.
Also, since less pesticides are needed or used to prevent the destruction of the crop, money is saved because less pesticides are required to be purchased, as well as the equipment that is necessary for spraying. This means that the farmers will save money in this area, which could be spent on other important things. This reduction in cost results in savings, from the increased income and the decreased costs of pesticides.
(Purcell, J., & Perlak, F. (2004))
Societal
A final, and somewhat overlooked, benefit of using Bt cotton is the benefits it can have on a society/community.
To begin with, the reduced needs for pesticides improves the quality of life for farmers, as they aren't exposed to harmful chemicals as often, therefore not at risk of getting sicknesses or diseases. Bt Cotton farmers and their families also now have an increased income due to increased yields and decreased need for the purchase of pesticides.
There are great societal benefits from not having to use pesticides as often in places such as South Africa, especially for women and children. The women and children are the ones who must do the spraying, and therefore, since they do not have to do this anymore, women have more time to care for their children, elderly or the sick, and children can spend more time in school.
Another benefit to society and especially women is, with the increased time due to not spraying pesticides, they can engage in income-generating activities, becoming independent, and also becoming another source of income in the household.
Water savings is increased due to decreased sprayings.
(Purcell, J., & Perlak, F. (2004))
To begin with, the reduced needs for pesticides improves the quality of life for farmers, as they aren't exposed to harmful chemicals as often, therefore not at risk of getting sicknesses or diseases. Bt Cotton farmers and their families also now have an increased income due to increased yields and decreased need for the purchase of pesticides.
There are great societal benefits from not having to use pesticides as often in places such as South Africa, especially for women and children. The women and children are the ones who must do the spraying, and therefore, since they do not have to do this anymore, women have more time to care for their children, elderly or the sick, and children can spend more time in school.
Another benefit to society and especially women is, with the increased time due to not spraying pesticides, they can engage in income-generating activities, becoming independent, and also becoming another source of income in the household.
Water savings is increased due to decreased sprayings.
(Purcell, J., & Perlak, F. (2004))