What a GMO Ban Would do to Economy and Environment

Who would be most-impacted by a potential ban? New AAEA member research

The production and use of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) is one of the most controversial agricultural topics worldwide.

The European Union, for example, doesn’t allow importing GMO corn and soybeans. In the United States, on the other hand, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates GMOs and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates GMO use results in “benefits to farmers, producers, and consumers.” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also regulates greenhouse gases linked to GMO production.

Despite those benefits there are many groups who believe GMOs have no businesses in farm fields and grocery stores.

“There are people that would like to ban GMOs,” said Wally Tyner of Purdue University. “We wanted to see what the result of a ban would be when it comes to food prices and greenhouse gas emissions.”

What would happen with a global GMO ban in place? Why would the U.S. *benefit* despite being the world’s largest GMO consumer?

That analysis is part of Tyner’s paper “Evaluating the Economic and Environmental Impacts of a Global GMO Ban.” Tyner will discuss his findings as part of the 2016 Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) Annual Meeting in Boston, July 31 – August 2.

The presentation is Tuesday, August 2, at 9:45 AM at the Marriott Copley Square, in Salon A on the fourth floor. If you are interested in setting up an interview before or during the meeting, please contact Jay Saunders in the AAEA Business Office.

Contact: Allison Scheetz
Senior Communications Manager
(414) 918-3190
Email: ascheetz@aaea.org