Fig.1 Global area and application rate of commercialized GM maize The data come from ISAAA, and the application rate data for 1996, 1999 and 2003 are missing

Fig.2 Number of safety certificates of GM maize approved by major countries/regions

Fig.3 Number of safety certificates for GM maize appro-ved by major countries/regions in each period

Fig.4 Similarity of GM maize events approved by major countries/regions Only including countries/regions that have approved 20 or more GM maize events; the clustering method is hierarchical clustering

Fig.5 Number of GM maize events approved (by traits) Events with multiple commercialized traits are counted separately

Fig.6 Number of events with different traits stacks

Fig.7 Trends in the number of the new commercialized events of GM maize with main types of traits in different periods 1999 refers to the time period is before 1999, 2003 refers to the time period from 2000 to 2003, and other analogies; when the event contains multiple commercial traits, statistics will be made in the corresponding commercial traits

Fig.8 Trends in the number of the new commercialized events with single commercial traits and the stacks in different periods 1999 refers to the time period is before 1999, 2003 refers to the time period from 2000 to 2003, and other analogies

Fig.9 Trends in the number of countries that have approved the events with major commercial traits in different periods 1999 refers to the time period is before 1999, 2003 refers to 2000-2003 time period, and other analogies; the event with multiple commercial traits will be counted in the corresponding commercialized traits; multiple approvals in the same country are counted as one approval

Fig.10 Changes in the number of countries that have approved the events with single commercial traits and the stacks in different periods 1999 refers to the time period is before 1999, 2003 refers to 2000-2003 time period, and other analogies; multiple approvals in the same country are counted as one approval

Fig.11 Overview of the development of GM maize events by major R&D companies The events developed by the two companies are counted in the corresponding companies respectively

Fig.12 Trends in the number of newly commercialized events of major R&D companies in different periods 1999 refers to the time period is before 1999, 2003 refers to the time period from 2000 to 2003, and other analogies. Each cooperative company is counted separately

Fig.13 Changes in the number of countries that have approved the events which are developed by major R&D companies in different periods 1999 refers to the time period is before 1999, 2003 refers to 2000-2003 time period, and other analogies. Each cooperative company is counted separately. Multiple approvals in the same country are counted as one approval