Print This PageAbout Biotechnology
Biotechnology is the use of living things to make or change products.
This tool has allowed scientists to develop a better understanding of the function, structure and evolution of plants and now, through gene technology, enabled scientists to switch off genes or copy them and move them between species.
Quick facts on Biotechnology and Crop Production
- 0:
- Reliably documented human or animal safety issues
- 13:
- Years farmers have planted biotech crops (1996 – 2008)
- 17.2%:
- Decrease in environmental impact quotient (EIQ)
- 24:
- Countries planting biotech crops
- 90%:
- Biotech farmers whom are small, resource-poor farmers from developing countries
- 359,000 metric tons:
- Decrease in pesticide applications
- 10 million metric tons:
- Greenhouse gas emission eliminated through fuel savings
- 13.3 million:
- Farmers planting biotech crops
- 1.8 billion litres:
- Diesel fuel saved from reduced tillage or plowing
- 2 billion acres:
- Accumulated global biotech crop area
- $US 44 billion:
- Increase in net income for farmers
- 1 trillion:
- Estimated number of meals consumed with biotech ingredients
Click here for more facts, a glossary of biotech terms and further resources.
