Current use of transgenic herbicide-resistant soybean and corn in the USA

The objective of this paper is to outline the current use of herbicide-resistant soybean and corn in the United States and describe the ramifications of utilizing these crops derived from biotechnology. The popular press and news articles detail the positions of consumers, environmental advocates, and the agriculture industry. Recent concerns expressed by consumers throughout the world have affected how herbicide-resistant crops are viewed and thus potentially the adoption of the technology. The paper will focus on the benefits and risks of using herbicide-resistant soybean and corn, specifically constructs that confer resistance to glyphosate. Glufosinate-resistant crops will also be discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.