Second-Generation GMOs: Where to from Here?

The introduction of a second wave of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), referred to as value-enhanced crops (VEC), includes those plant varieties that have one or more output characteristic modified adding enduser value to the commodity. VECs have the potential to provide momentum to the agricultural biotechnology industry and to enhance productivity worldwide (United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service [USDA ERS], 1999). Most of the VECs are new to US agricultural markets, competing with established grain crops for crop acreage and market acceptance. The intent of this study is to identify the potential for future growth of VECs in the United States by determining whether the incentives exist for farmers to adopt and for industry to invest in R&D for transgenic and nontransgenic VECs using US production of high-oil corn (HOC) as a case study.