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Which major crops planted in the United States have widely used genetically modified seeds?
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genetically modified organism
Genetically modified crops are assessed for their impact on environmental factors such as soil quality.
In the United States, the use of genetically modified (GM) or "bioengineered" seeds is widespread across several major agricultural commodities. As of 2024, more than 90 percent of the acreage planted with soybean, cotton, and corn in the U.S. utilized genetically modified seeds.1
Beyond these primary crops, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) maintains a list of bioengineered products available in the country, which includes the following:1
- Alfalfa
- Arctic apples
- Canola
- Eggplant (specifically BARI Bt Begun varieties)
- Papaya (ringspot virus-resistant varieties)
- Pineapple (pink flesh varieties)
- Potato
- Summer squash
- Sugarbeet
- Sugarcane (Bt insect-resistant)
Additionally, the list includes one animal product, the AquAdvantage salmon. These crops are often modified for traits such as herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, or drought tolerance to improve agricultural efficiency.1