Environmental
Believe it or not, there are a few environmental issues that are a result of the use of Bt cotton, though the crop itself does not pose any risks to the environment around it.
For example, a Greenpeace study in China shows that:
In this study, it was concluded that the use of pesticides was reintroduced, as the crop were again being destroyed by bollworms and yields were decreasing.
(Adverse environmental impacts of GE Bt Cotton. (2002, June 4))
For example, a Greenpeace study in China shows that:
- bollworms have begun to develop a resistance to the Bt chemical in Bt cotton; susceptibility fell to 30% after 17 generations, and resistance increased 1000 times when feeding on Bt cotton plants continued through the 40th generation.
- significant reduction of parasitic bollworm enemies
- increase in secondary pests, such as cotton aphids, cotton spider mites, etc.
In this study, it was concluded that the use of pesticides was reintroduced, as the crop were again being destroyed by bollworms and yields were decreasing.
(Adverse environmental impacts of GE Bt Cotton. (2002, June 4))
Economic and Societal
There is only one main and serious issue with the use of Bt cotton, and it ties into both economic and societal issues. This issue is known as seed piracy.
Seed piracy is the cross-fertilization of Monsanto Bt Cotton products (either Bollgard or Bollgard 2) with local cotton varieties suited to the area's environment. These new "pirated" Bt cotton plants are then sold for cheaper in the area, as the Monsanto products are very expensive. This is the main economic issue, especially in places such as India. In India, seed piracy is how most Bt cotton farmer acquire their crop. They cannot afford the Monsanto products, and therefore seed piracy is necessary in these areas, so that the farmers actually have an income, instead of being in debt. The people creating the pirated seeds say that they are just as successful as the original Monsanto products, but representatives from Monsanto who have heard about this issue have said that they fear the pirated plants are at more risk for crop failure and causing the bollworms to develop stronger resistances to the genes. Either way, this is an issue for the economy in Monsanto's case because not as muh product is being purchased at it should, due to the pirated seeds, and it is (possibly) an issue for the society as the "pirated" crops may not be as healthy, or successfully grown as the original Monsanto products.
(BBC Science correspondent Pallab Ghosh reveals the extent of GM piracy in Gujurat. (2003, June 17))
Seed piracy is the cross-fertilization of Monsanto Bt Cotton products (either Bollgard or Bollgard 2) with local cotton varieties suited to the area's environment. These new "pirated" Bt cotton plants are then sold for cheaper in the area, as the Monsanto products are very expensive. This is the main economic issue, especially in places such as India. In India, seed piracy is how most Bt cotton farmer acquire their crop. They cannot afford the Monsanto products, and therefore seed piracy is necessary in these areas, so that the farmers actually have an income, instead of being in debt. The people creating the pirated seeds say that they are just as successful as the original Monsanto products, but representatives from Monsanto who have heard about this issue have said that they fear the pirated plants are at more risk for crop failure and causing the bollworms to develop stronger resistances to the genes. Either way, this is an issue for the economy in Monsanto's case because not as muh product is being purchased at it should, due to the pirated seeds, and it is (possibly) an issue for the society as the "pirated" crops may not be as healthy, or successfully grown as the original Monsanto products.
(BBC Science correspondent Pallab Ghosh reveals the extent of GM piracy in Gujurat. (2003, June 17))