Genetically modified cotton and farmers' health in China.
This study provides the first evidence of a direct link between the adoption of a genetically modified (GM) crop and improvements in human health. Estimation of the impact of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton adoption on pesticide use from data from a survey of cotton farmers in northern China, 1999-2001, showed that Bt cotton adoption reduced pesticide use. Assessment of a health-production function showed that predicted pesticide use had a positive impact on poisoning incidence. Taken together, these results indicate that the adoption of Bt cotton can substantially reduce the risk and the incidence of poisonings.
Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-8520, USA.
Ferdaus
F
Hossain
Carl E
CE
Pray
Yanmei
Y
Lu
Jikun
J
Huang
Cunhui
C
Fan
Ruifa
R
Hu
D000383:Agriculture; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002681:China; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology; D003368:Gossypium / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000382:microbiology; D016012:Poisson Distribution
D010575:Pesticides