The following is an edited excerpt.
Last year, too dry. This year, too wet. Spring planting is never perfect in America’s agricultural heartland. The past few growing seasons have been especially challenging. Yet crop yields have held up.
One reason: bioengineered seeds, a big improvement on the ones Grandpa planted: The corn and soybeans grown across Illinois today are nearly all genetically modified to resist insects or tolerate herbicides. By protecting against pests and weeds, this technology helps to ensure ample harvests even in lousy conditions. Combine bioengineering with much-improved crop genetics, and the bins overflow.
Read the original article in its entirety here. Biotech crops and Europe: A losing battle against progress