These technologies increase crop yields and offer a variety of crop-specific benefits, including better nutrients, improved resistance to pests, drought-resistance and other characteristics that allow farmers to grow more with less environmental impact.

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That part, the insertion of the desired gene into the target crop's chromosomes, can be done in a variety of ways.

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Its Roundup Ready variety is used to grow about 90 percent of the nation's crop for the estimated 275, 000 American soybean farmers like Bowman, according to its petition.

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Monsanto, according to its petition, dominates the soybean seed market and its "Roundup Ready" variety is used to grow about 90 percent of the nation's crop for the estimated 275, 000 American soybean farmers like Bowman.

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Inevitably the variety was planted in less-than-ideal spots, and the vines carried crop loads that were too heavy to ripen fully.

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