Consumer Benefit #2 - Reduced Pesticides

Through the tools of biotechnology it may be possible to engineer herbicide-resistant crops. Proponents of biotechnology claim that herbicide-resistant crops will enable the use of less inputs, less toxic herbicides, and more environmentally friendly herbicides and pesticides. While others disagree, and believe that herbicide-resistant crops will increase the use of herbicides and result in the use of herbicides with greater killing power, and will have a negative effect on the environment(8).

Discussion Question:

How is the reduction of the use of pesticides a benefit to the farmer? To the consumer?