The global scientific consensus on genetically modified crop risk assessments

Expanding the weight of evidence for insecticidal protein risk assessment.

Insecticidal proteins expressed in genetically modified (GM) crops represent a sustainable and effective alternative for controlling insect and nematode pests and constitute a significant portion of the GM crop portfolio. Proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are currently the most extensively studied and widely used, particularly those belonging to the Cry class. In addition to Cry proteins, other insecticidal proteins from different classes have been developed. However, for many of these, information on their mode of action (MoA) and host receptors remains limited. Over the past two decades, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated more than 70 applications for GM crops expressing 24 different insecticidal proteins. These proteins belong to various classes, and the level of available information regarding their MoA varies considerably. This review aims to summarise the evidence currently available to EFSA on the MoA of insecticidal proteins expressed in GM crops. It also seeks to identify areas where further understanding of receptor binding and protein function could support the continued development of safety assessment strategies, with the goal of reducing reliance on animal studies as part of a more refined risk assessment approach.

Status, Challenges, and Future Perspectives in the Genetic Improvement of Major Oilseed Crops: A Critical Narrative Review

The evidence indicates that breeding has delivered clear gains in adaptation, hybrid performance, oil composition and resistance to selected diseases, but progress is markedly less consistent for complex traits expressed across variable environments.

Sustainability Benefits Following the Adoption of Genetically Modified Crops in Canada

The adoption of genetically modified canola in 1995 in Western Canada was done to improve the control of weeds during cropproduction. Thirty years later, Western Canadian agriculture has witnessed a complete transformation, whereby the use ofsummerfallow as the leading form of weed control has virtually disappeared, to be replaced by continuous cropping, zero orminimum tillage land management practices. Of course there are trade-offs. The removal of tillage practices has increased soilmoisture conservation and reduced soil erosion, but it has also resulted in an increase in herbicide applications. However, theenvironmental impact from the current suite of herbicides applied are considerably lower than previous ones, which often requiredsoil incorporation instead of foliar application. All food production practices have impacts on the environment and biodiversity,however, the key is to identify best practices that contribute to increased production coupled with a lower environmental footprint.This article reviews the transition that Western Canadian agriculture has undergone over the past 30 years, highlighting the benefitsfor the environment and biodiversity.

Understanding the systemic impacts of a glyphosate ban on Illinois agriculture: economic, agronomic, and community perspectives

Abstract Glyphosate has been a cornerstone of weed management in Illinois corn and soybean production by supporting conservation tillage, lowering production costs, and stabilizing yields. Growing regulatory scrutiny, litigation, herbicide resistance, and public concern, however, have raised the possibility of restrictions or a complete ban on glyphosate use. This paper evaluates the farm-level revenue consequences of a hypothetical glyphosate prohibition in Illinois agriculture. Using a staged analytical framework, we first quantify baseline glyphosate use and expenditures, then draw on the agronomic and economic literature to estimate yield elasticities for corn and soybean under a complete ban assuming no substitution (where a yield elasticity measures the percentage change in crop yield associated with a one-percent change in glyphosate use, capturing the sensitivity of production to its removal). We subsequently examine producer substitution toward alternative weed management programs and quantify the resulting changes in production costs and farm revenues under maintained yields. Finally, we extend the analysis to scenarios in which increased demand raises substitute input prices and yields decline modestly due to imperfect weed control performance. The results indicate that for corn and soybean producers combined, the statewide loss will be in the order of US$300 to $609 million per year, or about a 1.8% to 3.6% revenue loss. Our manuscript is the first one to offer a transparent, evidence-based assessment of how glyphosate removal would affect farm revenues through yield and cost channels.

Natural Farming for Sustainable Crop Production and Soil Health: A Critical Comprehensive Review

Natural farming has moved from a group of locally adapted, low-external-input practices to a prominent agricultural policy proposition, particularly in India. Its appeal rests on the linked aims of reducing dependence on purchased agrochemicals, rebuilding soil biological function, maintaining crop production and improving farm profitability. Yet the label encompasses heterogeneous systems, and evidence for particular components is often stronger than evidence for the complete package. This critical narrative review examines natural farming as an agroecological redesign strategy, with emphasis on crop productivity, soil health, nutrient sufficiency, water relations, biodiversity, farm economics and implementation at scale. Literature available from 1990 to 5 June 2026 was identified through accessible scholarly indexes, bibliographic searches, institutional sources and citation tracing. Direct comparative evidence from Indian natural-farming programmes was integrated with higher-level evidence on organic amendments, soil cover, reduced disturbance, crop diversification and microbial inoculation. The strongest and most transferable support concerns permanent or frequent soil cover, organic-matter return, diversified rotations and intercrops, and reduced reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides. These practices can improve soil aggregation, moisture retention, microbial biomass and several regulating ecosystem services. Direct field studies in south-eastern India indicate that well-managed natural farming can maintain or increase yields and reduce production costs in some settings, while recent landscape evidence shows comparable yields, higher profits and improved farmland bird abundance. Confidence is nevertheless moderated by short experimental duration, treatment bundles that prevent attribution to individual practices, uneven geographical coverage and limited nutrient budgets. Biological activity cannot create phosphorus, potassium or other exported elements, and nitrogen supply may become constraining in high-yielding systems without legumes, recycled biomass or other accountable sources. Natural farming is therefore best understood as context-specific ecological intensification rather than universal input elimination. Credible scaling requires phased transition, soil- and crop-specific nutrient accounting, independent long-term trials, multidimensional monitoring and adaptive safeguards for farmers whose production systems have high nutrient demand.

Advancing Indian Agriculture Through Global Transgenic Innovations