Event Publication of a Special Issue of Environment and Development Economics on acceptance and impacts of agricultural

provides new perspectives on the genetically modified (GM) technology debate, especially in developing countries. It highlights health costs from banning GM, economic gains from GM traits that have been adopted and mixed attitude causes and consequences toward the technology. Significance 1. A new methodology assesses the health costs of delaying approval of new GM traits and applies it to the case of Golden Rice in India, showing that delaying this new variety incurs significant costs, in both monetary and health terms. 2. An econometric methodology shows that the adoption of GM technologies has substantially increased yields and reduced commodity prices. Results from the recent introduction of GM crops in Pakistan are consistent with this historical trend. 3. Negative consumer attitudes toward GM that restricts technology adoption, emanates from richer individuals who may derive fewer benefit than poorer individuals