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.
Hossain
Ferdaus
F
Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-8520, USA.
Pray
Carl E
CE
Lu
Yanmei
Y
Huang
Jikun
J
Fan
Cunhui
C
Hu
Ruifa
R
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