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# GRAPHIC: Nearly all cash crops are genetically engineered now
- URL: https://www.investigatemidwest.org/graphic-nearly-all-cash-crops-are-genetically-engineered-now/
- Published: 2021-04-14T15:32:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-23T18:10:42.000Z
- Description: More than 90 percent of all corn, cotton and soybeans planted in the U.S. are genetically engineered, according to data from the Department of Agriculture.
- Author: Ignacio Calderon, USA TODAY Network Agriculture Data Fellow, Investigate Midwest
- Tags: Agribusiness, Data Harvest, biotech, biotechnology, TP::Explainer, Genetically Engineered Crops, genetically modified organisms, GMOs, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-06-18 04:56

More than 90 percent of all corn, cotton and soybeans planted in the U.S. are genetically engineered, according to [data](https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/adoption-of-genetically-engineered-crops-in-the-us/?ref=investigatemidwest.org) from the Department of Agriculture.

The number of crops modified to be herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant has increased dramatically since 2000.

That year, a quarter of corn planted was genetically engineered. Now, 20 years later, about 92 percent of corn planted is genetically modified. Soybeans and cotton have followed similar trends.

According to the non-profit organization, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, some of the [benefits](https://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/55/executivesummary/default.asp?ref=investigatemidwest.org) of biotech crops are increasing crop productivity, conserving biodiversity and reducing CO2 emissions.