SynthesisPloS one2014
A meta-analysis of the impacts of genetically modified crops.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 196 papers, 8 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
196 citing papers in PubMed, 8 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Impacts of visual impairment on pragmatic impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PloS one · 2023Pooled it
- Toxic Effects of Glyphosate on the Nervous System: A Systematic Review.International journal of molecular sciences · 2022Pooled it
- Farmers exposed to pesticides have almost five times more DNA damage: a meta-analysis study.Environmental science and pollution research international · 2022Pooled it
- Meta-analysis of the effects of overexpression of WRKY transcription factors on plant responses to drought stress.BMC genetics · 2019Pooled it
- Impact of genetically engineered maize on agronomic, environmental and toxicological traits: a meta-analysis of 21 years of field data.Scientific reports · 2018Pooled it
- Does Bt rice pose risks to non-target arthropods? Results of a meta-analysis in China.Plant biotechnology journal · 2017Pooled it
- Increased salt tolerance with overexpression of cation/proton antiporter 1 genes: a meta-analysis.Plant biotechnology journal · 2017Pooled it
- Pooled it
- The global scientific consensus on genetically modified crop risk assessments.GM crops & food · 2026Article
- Genetically modified foods and human health: a comprehensive review and cross-national time-trend analysis.GM crops & food · 2026Review
- An evaluation of the returns to biotech canola considering health, production and environmental externalities.GM crops & food · 2026Review
- Breeding of glyphosate-tolerant genetically modified rice BriA15-38.GM crops & food · 2026Article
- Genetically modified rice in Iran: scientific progress, policy constraints, and prospects for sustainable food security.GM crops & food · 2026Review
- Rapid recombinase polymerase amplification-based detection of theGM crops & food · 2026Article
- Genetically modified (GM) crop use 1996-2024: farm income and production impacts.GM crops & food · 2026Article
- Unravelling the Genetic Basis of Insect Resistance in Maize: Progress and Future Challenges.Plants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Global Genetic Gain and Changes for Seed Yield, Agronomic, and Compositional Attributes in Soybean (Plants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Genome Editing Approaches in Flax (International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Review
- Multiplex PCR Fluorescence Method for Detection of Genetically Modified Maize Strains.Current issues in molecular biology · 2026Article
- Crops exposed to extreme conditions: perspectives of gene editing to improve stress tolerance.Plant cell reports · 2026Review
136 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDespite the rapid adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops by farmers in many countries, controversies about this technology continue. Uncertainty about GM crop impacts is one reason for widespread public suspicion.
objectiveWe carry out a meta-analysis of the agronomic and economic impacts of GM crops to consolidate the evidence. DATA SOURCES: Original studies for inclusion were identified through keyword searches in ISI Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, EconLit, and AgEcon Search. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies were included when they build on primary data from farm surveys or field trials anywhere in the world, and when they report impacts of GM soybean, maize, or cotton on crop yields, pesticide use, and/or farmer profits. In total, 147 original studies were included. SYNTHESIS
methodsAnalysis of mean impacts and meta-regressions to examine factors that influence outcomes.
resultsOn average, GM technology adoption has reduced chemical pesticide use by 37%, increased crop yields by 22%, and increased farmer profits by 68%. Yield gains and pesticide reductions are larger for insect-resistant crops than for herbicide-tolerant crops. Yield and profit gains are higher in developing countries than in developed countries. LIMITATIONS: Several of the original studies did not report sample sizes and measures of variance.
conclusionThe meta-analysis reveals robust evidence of GM crop benefits for farmers in developed and developing countries. Such evidence may help to gradually increase public trust in this technology.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.