Behind the Label. India's Genetically Modified Cotton

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Since 2002 Indian agriculturalists have replaced almost all of their native seeds with genetically modified varieties due to intense campaigning by biotechnology giant Monsanto. Monsanto's proprietary BT cotton now occupies 90 percent of India's crop lands, having been sold with the understanding that it would improve yields and cut farmers' costs. But critics are questioning Monsanto's claims, and the farmers themselves report problems-their plants grow tall but without producing bolls, they must purchase special pesticides to combat GMO-resistant bugs, and they don't see nearly as much profit as do growers of organic cotton. Monsanto worked hard to win over Indian farmers, but as one man put it, "They made fools of us." In this program, scientists investigating the use of BT cotton in India convey their concerns about non-renewable seeds, loss of biodiversity, and a rise in suicides linked to farmers' debt since the arrival of Monsanto.