The American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) believes that the new technology involved with genetically engineered crops must satisfy two basic principles, (1) that farmers should have choices and options in what type of seed they purchase and plant, and (2) that meeting the needs, preference and choices of domestic and international customers and consumers must be the top priority.

The ACGA believes that biotechnology may hold some potential for improving human nutrition, especially in countries that are deficient. It may also hold some potential for reduced herbicide and pesticide use which could make U.S. farmers more efficient, if the technology is proven to be economically viable and foreign and domestic consumer demands are properly addressed.

However, the use of genetic engineering techniques that renders second generation seed sterile, thus preventing farmers from keeping back seed for the next growing year, is an affront on a traditional, sustainable worldwide practice recognized as being for the common good. The use of such sterilization techniques must be abandoned immediately. Additionally, any research begin conducted on this "terminator" technology by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, must be permanently discontinued.

Acting in the best economic interests of production agriculture, the American Corn Growers supports independent testing of genetically engineered crops. Such tests should be conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to address suspicions and concerning related to health risks or safety issues tied to genetically engineered crops and food ingredients. The ACGA supports independent testing by appropriate federal agencies in order to address the economic and legal issues of cross pollination with non-GMO crops and the impact that GMOs may have on crop, water and soil health. The ACGA supports mandatory labeling of all food products that contain genetically engineered crops. Such labeling is only consistent with the basic rights of all consumers to make choices about the foods they consume and what is in those foods. Supporting anything less is not market-oriented, breaks faith with consumers and jeopardizes the producer to consumer relationship essential to the viability of farming.

The ACGA also recognizes and emphasizes the dangers of economic concentration and threat it poses to independent farmers. Allowing the food production, distribution and marketing system, especially in the seed sector, to be totally controlled by a few biotechnology companies threatens the economic future of farmers and rural communities. Such concentration limits the purchasing options open to farmers. Taken together with the merged structure that such biotech companies now share with large multinational grain elevator, grain processing and grain exporting corporations, the danger for even more serious exploitative monopoly power to further manipulate markets and damage the farm economy is obvious. Government initiatives should redirect financial assets toward reinvigorating public plant breeding for family farmers and sustainable agriculture.