Agri Bio Report:

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SAN FRANCISCO, FEB 2:  A biotechnology advocacy group reported on Thursday that a record number of crops were planted worldwide last year, but critics complained the gains did not go beyond making corn, soy and cotton crops resistant to weed killers and bugs.

None of the genetically engineered crops for sale last year were nutritionally enhanced and much of the output feeds livestock, which critics said undercuts industry claims that biotechnology can help alleviate human hunger. Still, the report prepared by the industry-backed International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications touted the record as evidence that crops engineered to cut pesticide use can ease poverty and financially benefit small farmers around the world.