RISKS AND BENEFITS OF TRANSGENIC PLANTS RESISTENT TO HERBICIDES: THE CASE OF MONSANTO RR SOYBEAN

Abstract

The US-Company Monsanto recently applied for a non-regulated status for genetically engineered Roundup Ready soybean (RR) in Brazil. This article portrays the role of the RR soybean in connection with the global agricultural market for herbicide resistant crops. Furthermore, potential benefits and hazards for the Brazilian agriculture, resulting from the introduction of RR, are examined. In particular, ecological and health risks caused by RR and its complementary herbicide Roundup are discussed with regard to the conflicting appeals from both industry and non-governmental organisations, which have controversial opinions on the scope and appraisal of the risks caused by genetically modified plants (GMP). Moreover, the Brazilian National Technical Commission on Biosafety CTNBio has to deal with the scientific uncertainty in the evaluation of the risks caused by GMP as well as political disagreement about the most suitable approach in assessing these risks.