International genetically modified crops a decade of failure [1994 - 2004]

The report claims that the first ten years of GM crop commercialization were a 'resounding failure', noting that promises of cheaper, higher-quality food and the solution to global hunger have not materialized. It highlights the dominance of Monsanto, the failure of the first GM tomato, and the rise of global opposition due to concerns over genetic contamination, biodiversity loss, and corporate control of seeds.

• The first commercial GM crop, the 'Flavr Savr' tomato produced by Calgene in 1994, was a commercial failure and was removed from the market by 1997 due to high costs, lack of flavor improvement, and a tendency to bruise.
• Between 1996 and 2002, GM crop cultivation was heavily concentrated in three countries: the United States (66%), Argentina (23%), and Canada (6%).
• Monsanto emerged as the global leader in the industry, with its traits accounting for over 90% of the global area planted with insect-resistant or herbicide-tolerant crops by 2003.
• The report argues that GM crops have not fulfilled promises to feed the developing world, citing Argentina as an example where millions remain hungry despite being the second largest world producer of GM crops.
• Environmental risks associated with GM crops include the creation of 'superweeds' through gene transfer, the potential for Bt corn to kill Monarch butterflies, and an increase in chemical herbicide use.
• Health concerns include the potential for new allergies due to proteins transferred across species boundaries and the risk that antibiotic-resistance marker genes could compromise human resistance to antibiotics.
• The biotech industry has used public relations strategies and trade threats to push GM crops, including attempts by the US administration to impose GM food on the European Union, Bolivia, Croatia, and Sri Lanka.

APA

Friends of the Earth International (2004). International genetically modified crops a decade of failure [1994 - 2004]. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/gm_decade1.pdf

Chicago

Friends of the Earth International. International genetically modified crops a decade of failure [1994 - 2004]. 2004. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/gm_decade1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Friends of the Earth International |title=International genetically modified crops a decade of failure [1994 - 2004] |date=February 2004 |url=https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/gm_decade1.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{friendsoftheearthinternational2004international, author = {{Friends of the Earth International}}, title = {{International genetically modified crops a decade of failure [1994 - 2004]}}, institution = {Friends of the Earth International}, year = {2004}, month = feb, url = {https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/gm_decade1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }