GM crops are grown commercially or in field trails I over 40 countries and 6 continents. In 2000, about 109.2 million acres were planted with transgen

GM crops are grown commercially or in field trails I over 40 countries and 6 continents. In 2000, about 109.2 million acres were planted with transgenic crops, the principal ones being herbicide and insecticide-resistant soybeans, com cotton, and canola. Other crops grown commercially or field-tested are sweet potato resistant to a virus that could decimate most of the African harvest rice with increased iron and vitamins that may alleviate chronic malnutrition in Asian countries, and a variety of plants able to survive weather extremes.

On the horizon are bananas that produce human vaccines against infectious diseases such as hepatitis B; fish that mature more quickly fruit and nut trees that yield years earlier, and plants that produce new plastics with unique properties.