An Application of Life-cycle Assessment for Environmental Planning and Management - The Potential Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Growing Genetically-modified Herbicide-tolerant Sugar Beet
Bennett, R., Phipps, R., Strange, A. (2006). Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. 49(1): 59-74.
This paper is relevant to the Safety & Health Impact, and Environmental categories in the following areas:
| Crops: | Sugar Beet |
| Traits: | Herbicide Tolerance |
| Countries: | Germany, and United Kingdom |
| Regions: | Europe |
| ImpactAreas: | Safety & Health, and Environmental |
Abstract or Summary:
Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) was used to assess the potential environmental and human health impacts of growing genetically-modified (GM), herbicide-tolerant sugar beet in the UK and Germany compared with conventional sugar beet varieties. The GM variety results in lower potential environmental impacts on global warming, airborne nutrification, ecotoxicity (of soil and water) and watercourse enrichment, and lower potential human health impacts in terms of production of toxic particulates, summer smog, carcinogens and ozone depletion. Although the overall contribution of GM sugar beet to reducing harmful emissions to the environment would be relatively small, the potential for GM crops to reduce pollution from agriculture, including diffuse water pollution, is highlighted.
CropLife International fully acknowledges the source and authors of the publication as detailed above.
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