Monday, August 29, 2011

Beetle Resistant to BT Corn

Des Moines Register:
Researchers have confirmed that the virgifera beetle has developed a resistance to some of Monsanto’s genetically-engineered corn seed.
A report by Iowa State University researcher Aaron Gassman confirmed the resistance. It is described on the Care2 website.
Resistance developed in fields where the same genetically-engineered corn had been grown three yeras in a row, a relatively rare occurrence. Farmers have tended to switch fields annually between corn and soybeans to reduce nitrogen use and maximize both corn and soybean yields.
However, with record corn prices and increasing demand for corn, more corn acres, especially “corn on corn” repeated plantings, have occurred this year.
Scientists have warned that a danger in the use of genetically-engineered corn and soybeans comes with resistance by both pests and herbicides.
Another bad sign for GMO products.

Update: That's Western Corn Rootworm Beetle.

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