Herbicide resistance, whether as a potential problem in weeds, or as a potentially important agronomic tool, has become an extremely volatile issue in agriculture. Documents such as Biotechnology's Bitter Harvest suggest that herbicide resistance in crops will be a major environmental and economic disaster. Industry representatives suggest that herbicide resistant crops will be excellent tools for growers and actually improve the environmental safety of herbicide use. Agronomists voice concerns about the appearance of weed biotypes that demonstrate herbicide resistance. This paper will provide an objective review of herbicide resistance in crops and weeds and suggest possible results of herbicide resistance specifically for Iowa agriculture.