Ekologiska risker och möjligheter med Bacillus thuringiensis-grödor: en systematisk litteraturstudie
(2026) MVEM03 20261Studies in Environmental Science
Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC)
- Abstract (Swedish)
- This study examines the ecological risks and benefits of Bacillus thuringiensis-crops (Bt crops) through a systematic literature review. The aim is to analyse what ecological risks and benefits are highlighted in current research on Bt crops. The study focuses especially on insect resistance, effects on non-target organisms, and ecological effects in comparison with conventional farming systems.
The results show that one of the clearest ecological risks linked to Bt crops is that some pest insects can develop resistance. Several studies show that resistance has developed in some cases, while others show that this does not always happen. The results vary depending on factors such as species, crop type, and farming conditions.... (More) - This study examines the ecological risks and benefits of Bacillus thuringiensis-crops (Bt crops) through a systematic literature review. The aim is to analyse what ecological risks and benefits are highlighted in current research on Bt crops. The study focuses especially on insect resistance, effects on non-target organisms, and ecological effects in comparison with conventional farming systems.
The results show that one of the clearest ecological risks linked to Bt crops is that some pest insects can develop resistance. Several studies show that resistance has developed in some cases, while others show that this does not always happen. The results vary depending on factors such as species, crop type, and farming conditions. Another recurring theme in the research is the effect on non-target organisms. Most of the studies included in this review show small or non-significant negative effects, but there are also examples where certain organisms may be affected under specific conditions.
The study also shows that Bt crops can offer ecological benefits. Compared with crops treated with chemical insecticides, Bt crops may contribute to reduced pesticide use, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and in some cases a higher abundance of beneficial organisms in the farming environment.
At the same time, the review shows that the research does not always present the same picture. The differences between the studies can largely be understood in relation to the methods used, the organisms studied, the ecological level examined, and the environmental context of the studies.
Overall, the study shows that Bt crops are linked to both ecological risks and ecological benefits. The clearest risk concerns insect resistance, while the effects on non-target organisms are usually limited but cannot be fully excluded. The study also shows that more long-term and methodologically robust research is needed to provide a clearer understanding of the ecological effects of Bt crops. (Less) - Popular Abstract
- Denna studie undersöker ekologiska risker och möjligheter med Bacillus thuringiensis grödor (Bt-grödor) genom en systematisk litteraturstudie. Syftet är att, utifrån aktuell forskning, analysera vilka ekologiska risker och möjligheter som kopplas till odling av Bt-grödor. Studien fokuserar särskilt på insektsresistens, påverkan på icke-målorganismer samt ekologiska effekter i jämförelse med konventionella odlingssystem.
Resultaten visar att en av de tydligaste ekologiska riskerna med Bt-grödor är att vissa skadeinsekter kan utveckla resistens. Flera studier visar att resistens har uppstått i vissa fall, medan andra visar att det inte alltid sker. Resultaten varierar beroende på bland annat art, gröda och odlingsförhållanden. Ett... (More) - Denna studie undersöker ekologiska risker och möjligheter med Bacillus thuringiensis grödor (Bt-grödor) genom en systematisk litteraturstudie. Syftet är att, utifrån aktuell forskning, analysera vilka ekologiska risker och möjligheter som kopplas till odling av Bt-grödor. Studien fokuserar särskilt på insektsresistens, påverkan på icke-målorganismer samt ekologiska effekter i jämförelse med konventionella odlingssystem.
Resultaten visar att en av de tydligaste ekologiska riskerna med Bt-grödor är att vissa skadeinsekter kan utveckla resistens. Flera studier visar att resistens har uppstått i vissa fall, medan andra visar att det inte alltid sker. Resultaten varierar beroende på bland annat art, gröda och odlingsförhållanden. Ett annat återkommande tema i forskningen är påverkan på icke-målorganismer. De flesta studier som ingår i denna litteraturstudie visar små eller inga signifikanta negativa effekter, men det finns också exempel där vissa organismer påverkas under särskilda förhållanden.
Studien visar också att det finns ekologiska möjligheter med Bt-grödor. Jämfört med grödor som behandlas med kemiska insektsmedel kan Bt-grödor bidra till minskad användning av bekämpningsmedel, lägre utsläpp av växthusgaser och i vissa fall en större förekomst av nyttiga organismer i odlingsmiljön.
Samtidigt visar genomgången att forskningen inte alltid ger samma bild. Skillnaderna mellan studiernas resultat kan till stor del förstås utifrån vilka metoder som använts, vilka organismer som har studerats, vilken ekologisk nivå som undersökts samt i vilken miljöstudierna har genomförts.
Sammanfattningsvis visar studien att Bt-grödor är kopplade till både ekologiska risker och ekologiska möjligheter. Den tydligaste risken handlar om insektsresistens, medan påverkan på icke-målorganismer oftast verkar vara liten men inte helt kan uteslutas. Studien visar också att det behövs fler långsiktiga och metodologiskt starka studier för att ge en tydligare bild av Bt-grödors ekologiska effekter. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9226449
- author
- Ekefäll, Johan LU
- supervisor
- organization
- alternative title
- Ecological risks and benefits with [i]Bacillus thuringiensis[/i]-crops: a systematic literature study
- course
- MVEM03 20261
- year
- 2026
- type
- H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
- subject
- keywords
- GMO, Bt, Bacillus thuringiensis, insect resistance, Non target organisms
- language
- Swedish
- id
- 9226449
- date added to LUP
- 2026-05-21 16:59:07
- date last changed
- 2026-06-16 13:51:44
@misc{9226449,
abstract = {{This study examines the ecological risks and benefits of [i]Bacillus thuringiensis[/i]-crops (Bt crops) through a systematic literature review. The aim is to analyse what ecological risks and benefits are highlighted in current research on Bt crops. The study focuses especially on insect resistance, effects on non-target organisms, and ecological effects in comparison with conventional farming systems.
The results show that one of the clearest ecological risks linked to Bt crops is that some pest insects can develop resistance. Several studies show that resistance has developed in some cases, while others show that this does not always happen. The results vary depending on factors such as species, crop type, and farming conditions. Another recurring theme in the research is the effect on non-target organisms. Most of the studies included in this review show small or non-significant negative effects, but there are also examples where certain organisms may be affected under specific conditions.
The study also shows that Bt crops can offer ecological benefits. Compared with crops treated with chemical insecticides, Bt crops may contribute to reduced pesticide use, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and in some cases a higher abundance of beneficial organisms in the farming environment.
At the same time, the review shows that the research does not always present the same picture. The differences between the studies can largely be understood in relation to the methods used, the organisms studied, the ecological level examined, and the environmental context of the studies.
Overall, the study shows that Bt crops are linked to both ecological risks and ecological benefits. The clearest risk concerns insect resistance, while the effects on non-target organisms are usually limited but cannot be fully excluded. The study also shows that more long-term and methodologically robust research is needed to provide a clearer understanding of the ecological effects of Bt crops.}},
author = {{Ekefäll, Johan}},
language = {{swe}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Ekologiska risker och möjligheter med Bacillus thuringiensis-grödor: en systematisk litteraturstudie}},
year = {{2026}},
}