 |
|
 |
Scenario: Genetically Modified Food: Bt Corn (continued)
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
Those in the biotechnology industry caution environmentalists and the general public not to jump to conclusions. They argue that the results from these studies are not conclusive. First, they question whether the study, which was conducted in a laboratory, could produce results generalizable to the field. Second, it is unclear what determines when butterflies lay their eggs, the necessary level of pollen that must be ingested by the caterpillars to kill them, how milkweed is distributed near cornfields, and so on. Third, technologists argue that many other factors are causing a decline in the monarch butterfly population, including the ongoing loss of their habitat due to logging and urbanization, conventional insecticides, and predators. Perhaps, above all, the greatest issue concerning genetically modified plants is the potential crossbreeding with nonaltered crops. What might this imply for the future? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
References: |
|
Hansen, L. & J. Obrycki. (2000). "Field deposition of Bt transgenic corn pollen: lethal effects on the monarch butterfly." Oecologia, 125 (2); 241-248. Rice, M. (2002). "Monarchs and Bt Corn: A Research Update." Integrated Crop Management. Losey, J. E., Rayor, L. S., & M. E. Carter. (1999). "Transgenic Pollen Harms Monarch Larvae." Nature, 399: 214. Palevitz, B. A. (1999). "Bt or Not Bt...Transgenic Corn vs. Monarch Butterflies." The Scientist, 13(12):1. |
|
|
|
|
|
|