International Food Policy Research Institute
sustainable solutions for ending hunger and poverty
Since the first transgenic crops were released to farmers in 1996, documented experience with these crops in developing agriculture has accumulated but remains narrow in scope. Only a few crop-trait combinations have been examined in a limited number of countries, and the time period of adoption is brief. Focusing on applied economics methods, this review examines the evidence that is based on the analysis of empirical data and has been published in peer-reviewed articles. Understanding research protocols and analytical approaches improves our comprehension of findings and their interpretation.
The aim of this review is to identify key components of a "good practices" methodology for applied economists who seek to produce relevant and credible information about transgenic crops for national policymakers. For simplicity, studies have been grouped into categories that correspond to research questions and fields of analysis. The first category consists of studies that analyze adoption of transgenic crops and impacts on farmers. The second treats the attitudes of consumers toward products made with transgenic ingredients. The third set of studies considers the impact of transgenic crops on the industry or sector, which is composed of both producers and consumers. These studies examine the performance of the industry and the distribution of benefits among actors, also addressing the role of innovators and regulators. Studies of the impacts of transgenic products on international trade constitute the fourth category. Each field of analysis is associated with certain types of data, analytical models, and policy implications.