Cotton seeds

Genetically-modified cotton was introduced in 1996 and by 2010 it accounted for 65% of the world cotton crop (notably insect-resistant Bt cotton and herbicide-resistant cotton) (O'Brien et al., 2005; USDA, 2010). The main expected environmental benefit of the use of Bt cotton is a reduction in pesticide use and residues (Edwards et al., 2009). Animal studies have failed to demonstrate noxious side-effects from the use of GM cotton (EFSA GMO Panel, 2008). Transgenic whole cotton seeds were found to have the same chemical composition and in vitro digestibility as non-transgenic seeds (Mohanta et al., 2011). However, as for other GM crops, both the environmental benefits of GM cotton and its effects on health remain highly controversial and a matter of debate.