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The Supreme Court rules that genetically modified organisms can be patented.
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The first genetically modified crop – a virus resistant tobacco plant – in the US is approved by the Environment Protection Agency.
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Scientists in the UK experiment on potato plants by inserting genes that give the crops more protein and other nutrients.
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The Food and Drug Administration declares that Genetically Modified crops are “not inherently dangerous” and therefore do not require special regulation of any sort.
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The FlavrSavr tomato, the first genetically modified food product commercially available in the US, is approved by the FDA. It had been modified to be fresher for longer.
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Australia grows insect-resistant commercially available cotton crops.
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Over 12 years, the amount of land that is cultivated with genetically modified crops increased by 8000%. In 1997, there were 4.2 million acres of land that were planted with GMOs, and in 2009 there were 331 million acres.
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A gene from thale cress is inserted into tomatoes. This creates the first crop that can grow in salty water or soil.
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A genetically decaffeinated coffee bean is developed by Japanese scientists.
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On this date, it was discovered that US rice being shipped to Europe was contaminated with unapproved engineered genes. These were probably gained through cross-pollination between engineered and normal plants.
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The European Food Safety Authority announces that GM plants with genes promoting resistance to harmful bacteria are both safe for human and animal consumption and do not pose a risk to the environment.
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By this point in time, a staggering 93% of soybeans, 93% of cotton, and 86% of corn produced in the United States are genetically modified.
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A US article reveals that in developed countries, farmers experienced 6% increased yield due to genetically modified crops, and underdeveloped countries experienced a 29% increase. Also, about 72% of farmers worldwide who grew genetically modified crops had positive economic results.
