Biotechnology in agriculture

Abstract

The consequences of the invention of DNA-based molecular techniques and their application to agriculture have been pervasive. This review examines the key consequences for farmers and the public. These include widespread commercial applications of agricultural biotechnology in a limited number of countries, a large private-sector investment in biotechnology research, significant economic contributions to farmers, continuing controversy over its environmental impacts, a proliferation of regulations (both national and international as a consequence of the technology and property rights), a wide range of changing public reaction, and relatively little contribution of the technology to increasing food production, nutrition, or farm incomes in less-developed countries. Copyright © 2006 by Annual Reviews. All rights reserved.