Genetic engineering: No better crop yield

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 14 (UPI) -- The Union of Concerned Scientists says it has determined genetic engineering has failed to produce higher U.S. crop yields.

"For years the biotechnology industry has trumpeted that it will feed the world, promising that its genetically engineered crops will produce higher crop yields," the organization said. But in a study released Tuesday, the UCS says it found U.S. production gains in during the past 15 years have been primarily due to traditional breeding and conventional agriculture improvements.

The study is said to be the first to closely evaluate the overall effect genetic engineering has had on crop yields, as compared with other agricultural technologies.

The UCS research concludes genetic engineering is unlikely to play a significant role in increasing food production in the foreseeable future.

The study recommends the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state agricultural agencies and universities increase research and development for proven approaches to boost crop yields.

"If we are going to make headway in combating hunger due to overpopulation and climate change, we will need to increase crop yields," said UCS' Doug Gurian-Sherman, who wrote the report. "Traditional breeding outperforms genetic engineering hands down."

The report -- "Failure to Yield" -- is available at http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/food_and_agriculture/failure-to-yield.pdf.