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Science
Friday > Archives
> 1999
> May
> May 21, 1999:
Hour One: Risks of Agricultural Biotech
| Corn plants genetically engineered to be pest resistant may be harmful to monarch butterfly larvae, according to research published this week in the journal Nature. Scientists at Cornell University discovered that the caterpillars feeding on plants dusted with pollen from corn engineered to make toxins found in the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) ate less, were smaller, and died sooner than caterpillars feeding on plants dusted with non-BT pollen.
Several agricultural companies sell corn plants modified to express BT toxins. The toxins help protect the plants from being eaten by pests, including the ravenous European corn borer, without the need for lots of additional pesticides. Other plants, including cotton, potatoes, and tomatoes, have also been engineered to create BT chemicals. Opponents of the BT technology are particularly concerned about corn, however, because corn pollen is easily carried on the wind. | 
Image © STN2 | The findings refute claims by biotechnology companies that their products cannot harm organisms other than their intended targets.On this hour of Science Friday, we'll talk about the research - and about the wisdom of using genetic engineering in food crops.
Listeners respond
Guests:
John Losey
Professor, Entomology
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
Jane Rissler
Senior Staff Scientist
Union of Concerned Scientists
Washington, DC
Val Giddings
Vice President for Food and Agriculture
Biotechnology Industry Association
Washington, DC
Kurt Kleiner
U.S. Correspondent
New Scientist
Washington, DC
Scott McFarland
Director of Industry Relations
Corn Growers' Association
St. Louis, Missouri
Books/Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
Monsanto
Novartis
Bt patents
Union of Concerned Scientists
Cornell University News Release
STN2 story: Killer Corn
This segment produced by:
Annette Heist
Web producer:
Charles Bergquist
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