A meta-analysis of 147 studies of the impact of genetically modified crops (GMO) has been published in PLOS One. The study finds that the adoption of herbicide-tolerant (HT) soybean, maize, and cotton, and insect-resistant (IR) maize and cotton has resulted in a 22% increase in average yields, a 37% overall decrease in pesticide use, and a 68% increase in farmer profits.

Yields were increased by reduction in crop loss due to pests. This effect was greater in farm surveys (real-world use) than in controlled field trials. The gains were also greater in developing countries which tend to have more of a problem with crop loss due to insects.

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The meta-analysis found that funding source did not have a significant impact on outcome. Results from peer-reviewed articles were more positive overall than non peer-reviewed, which the authors conclude is likely due to an anti-GMO bias in the “grey” literature.

The meta-analysis itself was not funded by industry, but rather by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme. The authors declared no conflict of interest.
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