Genetically Modified Seeds Seem Ineffective At Increasing Crop Yields – And Monsanto's Rebuttal

For years, companies like Monsanto Company MON, E I Du Pont De Nemours And Co DD, Syngenta AG (ADR) SYT, Dow Chemical Co DOW, BASF SE (ADR) BASFY, Bayer AG (ADR) BAYRY and its subsidiaries have been criticized for selling genetically modified seeds.

Opponents of genetically modified seeds argued that GMO foods could cause cancer — at least in rats — had no scientific evidence deeming them safe and should thus be labeled.

GMO foods advocates say the health risks involved are no greater than those of other foods. In addition, it has been proventhat GMO seeds provide ameliorated shelf life, disease resistance, stress resistance, pest resistance and herbicide resistance. However, their largest selling point seems to be the promise for increased yields.

But, are genetic modifications in agriculture actually delivering increased higher yields?

After two decades of GMO seed use, North American yield growth has not managed to outpace that of European countries, where GMO seeds are banned.

The chart above compares rapeseed (canola) crop yields in Canada and Western Europe, revealing that the performance of GMO seeds has not been particularly better than that of regular seeds.

Similar has been the case for corn yields in Western Europe versus the United States.

Finally, Western European sugar beet yields have delivered sharper increases than U.S. yields.

Monsanto Responds

Benzinga reached out to Monsanto, the largest producer of genetically modified seeds, with a market share of approximately 70 percent, as per Guinness World Records data.

Director of Millennial Engagement Vance Crowe directed Benzinga to a blog post where the company responds to “misleading” reports.

“Analyzing yield trends across geographies is complex because agronomic characteristics, maturity rates and other factors have to be taken into consideration. Making comparisons across very broad geographies — such as the United States and Europe — is especially difficult. Focusing on a comparison between smaller regions allows for better control of those variables and a more accurate comparison,” the rebuttal read, citing analyses of agronomically similar regions, which showed increased yields in GM seed crops.

“Importantly, while this increase is significant, yield improvement is only one of the many benefits GMOs offer to modern agriculture,” Monsanto added, mentioning increases in family incomes, calorie consumption, and carbon sequestration in soil.