Although the benefits of genetically modified (GM) crops have been well documented, how do farmers manage the risk of new technology in the early stages of technology adoption has received less attention. We compare the total factor productivity (TFP) of cotton to other major crops (wheat, rice,...

This chapter examines the historical development of the agricultural biotechnology complex and the strategies employed by major firms in their attempt to build an agro-industrial complex centered on biotechnology and the life sciences. The first section investigates the transformation of...

The advantages and disadvantages of genetic modification of organisms in agriculture are reviewed. These relate to the environment, human health, socio-economic effects, population growth, and differential consequences for developed and developing countries. An overall evaluation requires that...