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Genetically modified (GM) cotton varieties were grown in 11 countries across the world during 2009 including the USA, Brazil, Argentina, India and China (ISAAA). Use in developed countries such as the USA and Australia have been driven by biotechnology giants such as Monsanto, but many developing countries have promoted the manufacture of “home-grown” biotechnology varieties in an attempt to make their agricultural industries more economically successful.

Varieties of GM cotton

There are a number of varieties of genetically modified cotton available worldwide. 88% of cotton planted in the US during 2009 was GM cotton (Agricultural Statistics Board). Around 17% of this was Bt cotton, a variety containing a gene from the bacteria Bacillus thuringensis which allows the cotton to produce an insecticidal toxin, thus reducing the need to apply chemical insecticides. Herbicide resistant cotton such as Monsanto’s Roundup Ready® Flex accounted for a further 23%, but the majority of GM cotton planted in the US during 2009 consisted of stacked gene varieties which display both insecticide and herbicide resistant traits.

By contrast, the vast majority of GM cotton grown in developing countries such as India and China is Bt cotton. Bt cotton is the most sustainable variety of GM cotton since it reduces the need to apply pesticides while still causing an increase in yield. These countries often develop their own GM seed varieties, thus avoiding dependency on multinational suppliers.