On This Page:

Am I eating genetically engineered soybeans?
History and prevalence of GE soybeans.

Definitely. Genetically engineered soybeans were first grown commercially in the US in 1996, and have been widely adopted by farmers. In the 2003 growing season, am estimated 81% of the US soybean crop is genetically engineered to be resistant to an herbicide (usually glyphosate aka "Roundup"). Soybean-derived ingredients are present in a wide array of processed foods, and include soybean oil, soy flour, soy lecithin, and some nutritional supplements like protein extracts and vitamin E.
[top of page]

Genetically Engineered Soybean Production in 2003 Statewise percentage of total soybean acres planted with genetically engineered soybean varieties in major soy producing states. Soybeans produced in these states represent 89% of US soy production. Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA

The history and prevalence of GE soybeans

Genetically engineered soybeans were first approved for commercial sales to farmers for the 1996 growing season. The new technology, licensed by Monsanto, enabled the farmers to control weeds by applying the herbicide glyphosate ("Roundup") directly onto the growing soybean plants. When sales of these "Roundup Ready" soybeans first began in early 1996, Monsanto surprised farmers by requiring them to sign contracts agreeing not to save their seeds for planting the next year. The practice of saving seed for replanting-- known as "brown bagging"-had been entirely legal for non-patented seeds and practiced by as many as one third of US soybean farmers. Monsanto insisted that, not only must farmers buy new seeds every season, but that Monsanto must be allowed to inspect farmers' fields several times a year. Despite angering many, the condition was accepted by a large number of farmers who planted the soybeans the first year.

By the end of the first growing season, concerns over the acceptability of the GE soybeans to overseas markets had begun to grow. Unlike tomatoes, squash, corn, and canola-- of which GE varieties had already been marketed in the US for a few years-- soybeans were an important export crop for the US. More than half of the US soybean crop was exported, with fully one third of that to Europe alone. Japan and the European Union expressed concerns about importation of the new soybeans, but eventually relented under pressure from the Clinton administration and the World Trade Organization-- despite a number of local protests (particularly in Germany).

At the beginning of the second year of sales, Monsanto at first backed down on the legal contracts and mandatory inspections intended to prevent seed-saving-- in an attempt to avoid antagonizing farmers too greatly. Farmers were asked simply to initial a statement that they agreed not to save any seeds to be replanted the next year. But the soft-touch approach didn't last long: by the end of the 1998 season, Monsanto had pressed several lawsuits against seed-saving farmers and began to take out local radio and newspaper ads naming specific "seed pirates" who had been caught saving seeds.

But the initial outrage by farmers gradually diminished as the utility of the Roundup Ready soybeans became apparent: by 1999, more than 60% of US soybean acres were grown to the herbicide-resistant GE varieties (and most farmers were no longer saving seeds). Today, Roundup Ready soybeans are the single most widely grown genetically engineered plant.

Despite overwhelming adoption by US farmers (81% in 2003), overseas markets continue to cause concern. In 1998, Aventis announced that it would not sell its new herbicide-resistant "Liberty Link" soybeans in the US until they had been approved in the EU. There have been some (unconfirmed) rumors that soybean growers are being paid a small premium for non-GE beans for sale to EU markets.
[top of page]