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

Abstract

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.

The use of life‐cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental impacts of growing genetically modified, nitrogen use‐efficient canola

“…The potential impact of any genetically modified crop on the environment is a key issue (Bennett et al ., 2004, 2006a,b). Increasing concern about climate change (for instance, see Stern Review, 2006) means that the potential for genetically modified crops to cut greenhouse gas emissions requires more detailed analysis.…”

“…The potential impact of any genetically modified crop on the environment is a key issue (Bennett et al ., 2004(Bennett et al ., , 2006a.…”