SIKESTON -- Farmer Mike Geske can't find anything negative about genetically enhanced crops. In fact, he doesn't understand how or why anyone could oppose the use of biotechnology.
"The benefits are unbelievable," Geske assured. "There's a lot of promise with biotech crops if we let scientists proceed with their research."
Biotech crops are genetically engineered and used to alter or move genes of living cells to enhance a crop's performance.
Geske, who farms in Matthews and Canalou, uses genetically enhanced varieties of cotton and corn. He said using biotech crops saves him a lot of time and keeps him from doing a lot spraying (of pesticides) and tilling at the end of the year.
Aside from helping Americans, biotechnology can also help feed residents of third-world countries. "For example, they're working on developing a rice variety with increased amounts of iron. There's just no end to the benefits," Geske said.
Biotech crops are more expensive than non-biotech varieties, Geske pointed out, but he thinks they're worth it. Geske compares biotechnology use to an insurance policy. In years like this one, where there's a lot of insect pressure, farmers don't have to pay to use pesticides, he said.
"Biotechnology is the brightest hope we have to continue to supply enough food and to keep the world from starving," Geske said.
Biotechnology crops are also known as GMOs, genetically modified crops, and Bt crops. Farmers are required to limit the amount of acres they plant biotech crops, Geske said.
"I'm very excited about the opportunities biotech crops have for farmers and the general public," said Fred Stemme of the Missouri Corn Growers Association.
A recent study on the impact of biotech crops indicated what Geske and other farmers using biotech crops all ready know -- Missouri farmers could increase their income and reduce pesticide use with biotech crops.
In Missouri, biotech varieties of apples, corn, cotton, rice, soybean and sunflowers could increase food and fiber production by more than 209 million pounds, improve farm income more than $81 million and reduce pesticide use nearly 3.5 million pounds every year according to the study.
Stemme said MCGA doesn't recommend biotech crops one way over the other; however, farmers can use it as a tool to control insect predators and on crop protection predators.
According to the USDA, 34 percent of corn grown in Missouri in 2002 were biotech varieties, which is the same as the national percentage.
The International Food Information Council said a survey conducted by Cogent Research in August found that opinions on food biotechnology are holding steady. Nearly three quarters (71 percent versus 65 percent in 2001) of those surveyed said they would be likely to buy produce that had been enhanced through biotechnology for protection from insect damage and requiring fewer pesticide applications.
In addition, 54 percent of American consumers would be likely to purchase the same produce if it had been enhanced to taste better or fresher, a number that has remained stable since October 1999.
Despite these findings there are still groups who are leary of biotechnology use on crops.
Stemme thinks these opinions are based on misinformation of the scientific research. To make a good, sound decision, one must have all the facts, and he doesn't think non-biotech supporters do.
"Since it's a new technology, people don't always understand it at first. It's a natural reaction to have concern," Stemme said.
That's why MCGA and the National Corn Growers Association encourage producers to understand the technology they're using and to become informed, Stemme added.
Geske thinks consumers should feel confident in biotech crops and know they are getting safe food. "Biotech crops are safe and highly regulated by the government. There are no dangers to the public," he said.
Monsanto Co., headquartered in St. Louis, is a leading global provider of agricultural products and mixed solutions that bring together chemicals, seeds and biotechnology traits to improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto began researching biotech crops approximately 20 years ago.
Lee Quarles of public affairs at Monsanto said the company's researchers have found education is the key to decrease the alarm of those who favor non-biotech crops. He, too, has found more positives than negatives about biotech crops.
"The best story I ever heard was from a farmer in Iowa," Quarles recalled. "He talked about how much time biotech crops have saved him. Because of the time he's saved, he was able to refinish his whole basement and have more free time."