It helps farmers increase their yields, not have to use as many pesticides and conserve topsoil (Conko). In 1997, 15% of soybeans grown in the United States were genetically modified. It was predicted in 1999 that by the year 2000, 100% of all soybeans in the United States would be genetically modified. (Montague) There are also some very good things about GMOs. They can help increase yields. This helps farmers earn more money and produce more grain for ranchers. They can also reduce prices for pharmaceutical production. If we can grow more natural medicines more efficiently, we will be able to make more medicines, and perhaps at less cost. GMOs can also reduce the need for pesticides. If we can make plants resistant to pests right in the seed, we wouldn't need to spray all these chemicals into the environment (Phillips). Some things people don't understand is that we can modify more than just plants. Studies have also been conducted that have been shown to increase the yield of an animal's carcass capacity. For example, salmon have been “reprogrammed” to grow and mature at a faster rate than normal. Additionally, cattle have been modified to be resistant to mad cow disease.