But opponents of Bt cotton believe otherwise. Bt cotton will become vulnerable to pest attack in the long run as pests would develop resistance. This is the same cotton variety whose field trials by Monsanto in India evoked sharp public criticism and action last year. Although India has now approved Bt cotton, stiff resistance remains to the government's decision. Farming organizations continue to threaten to burn down fields where Bt cotton is being grown.
Farmers protest in Islamabad, calling for agricultural reforms.
Monsanto has publicly denied reports that it is planning to introduce transgenic cotton in Pakistan, but its correspondence to the government runs counter to that claim. Modern biotechnology is dramatically redefining the pest management in US cotton production. Promising to increase farmers' profitability, reduce environmental pollution and enhance quality of life, Rehman's letter goes on to enumerate the social, environmental and economic benefits of the controversial cotton variety. Monsanto developed Bollgord cotton, commonly known as Bt cotton, as a novel approach to controlling pest injury in production agriculture. Take a look at our interactive dinner to find out what the food in your refridgerator really contains.