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Concerns a Weed Scientist Might Have About Herbicide-Tolerant Crops: A Revisitation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

M. Alejandra Martinez-Ghersa
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331
Catherine A. Worster
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Sciences, 2082 Cordley Hall, Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331
Steven R. Radosevich
Affiliation:
Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331

Abstract

Over a decade ago, the Weed Science Society of America sponsored a symposium on the then emerging technology of herbicide-tolerant crops (HTCs). The symposium and subsequent proceedings addressed potential benefits and concerns about that new technology to control weeds. Technological, biological, and ethical questions were addressed that were likely to emerge from the widespread adoption of HTCs. It was suggested at that time that if such questions were answered, HTC development would proceed on a more solid foundation, whereas continued uncertainty and criticism would probably result if the questions were not answered. We now review developments in HTC technology. Questions and concerns posed one decade ago are still pertinent, but current knowledge is still insufficient to address them. Adoption of HTC has risen dramatically since their commercial introduction, but there is still no evidence of associated production cost reductions or enhanced yields

Type
Education/Extension
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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