Since 1996, corn has been genetically modified to contain a protein that is toxic to certain insects but safe for humans to consume. This type of corn has been named "Bt corn". It has recently been found that Bt corn can reduce the amount of insecticide use on the corn crops. The bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis produces a protein called the Bt delta endotoxin. This protein kills Lepidoptera caterpillars during its larval stage. The Lepidoptera caterpillar is also known as the European corn borer. Having this toxin helps keep these corn-loving caterpillars away from the harvesting corn. Interestingly enough, the Bt delta endotoxin does not harm any other form of insect such as flies, bees, beetles, etc.
It was found in a study that the Bt corn performed better in managing to keep the corn ear worms away than did the non Bt corn that was sprayed with insecticide. The Bt corn can harvest successfully without any type of spray or insecticide, making it much easier on the environment and the people who harvest it. The Bt corn has also received higher profits than non Bt corn because it also takes less money to grow it. Without having to pay for insecticides to spray on the corn to make it grow, the Bt delta endotoxin serves as its own natural insecticide.
Some grocery stores refuse to sell the Bt corn because it is a genetically modified product. However, the genetic modification in this corn turns out to bring more benefit to the earth and the people who handle it more than it does harm. The Bt delta endotoxin is completely harmless to humans and other mammals, so there is no danger in enjoying a piece of Bt corn.
I find this concept extremely important. While the corn might not be grown entirely naturally, the amount of money being paid to spray the corn with insecticide would decrease exponentially, causing the farmers to save money and make more profit. Also, if there is no harm in eating this genetically modified corn, then it is a win-win situation for all. Humans are also not ingesting any harmful insecticide. I feel that we are headed to this type of crop growing revelation in the future.
I find this concept extremely important. While the corn might not be grown entirely naturally, the amount of money being paid to spray the corn with insecticide would decrease exponentially, causing the farmers to save money and make more profit. Also, if there is no harm in eating this genetically modified corn, then it is a win-win situation for all. Humans are also not ingesting any harmful insecticide. I feel that we are headed to this type of crop growing revelation in the future.
I was extremely surprised to read that grocery stores refused to sell the Bt corn because it was a genetically modified product. It doesn’t make any sense because the genetically modified corn has been proven to be more beneficial to the earth, humans, and other mammals. I would think that using less insecticide on the corn crops would be a lot better than farming the conventional way with lots of insecticides because the farm lands won’t be ruined and important wildlife won’t be harmed. Therefore, the environment will be better off without the overuse of insecticides. The Lepidoptera caterpillars are pests and probably ruin tons of corn crops for farmers each year. By farming the Bt corn, farmers will have more productive yields and make more money. I remember watching a movie last semester in my Human Geography and Ecology class about the same issue with genetically modified potatoes. For a brief time, the potatoes were used in McDonald’s French fries and when people found out that they were genetically modified, they refused to eat them and petitioned McDonald’s to stop making its fries with genetically modified potatoes. McDonald’s soon stopped using this type of potato. I thought that it was ridiculous because the potatoes didn’t cause any sickness or harm in the people who ate them and they made the farmer’s lives easier. However, it may just take a while to get used to the idea of eating the Bt corn.
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting article. Since the Non GMO projects advent many people have been against modifying organisms for any purpose. Seeing that genetic modifications can be beneficial for agricultural uses while not causing adverse changes in the ecosystem they're in and around shows it too can be used as another tool for increasing productivity the same way the green revolution did.
ReplyDeleteWith so many things there seems to be advantages and disadvantages to a way of doing things. The absence of spray pesticides is a very good thing for the environment but I think what a lot of people fear is that there is still a lack of knowledge of GMOs since they are relatively new. This wouldn't be a problem if GMOs were easy confined from non-GMOs but due to wind pollination of crops like corn and wheat, it is hard to keep the 2 types of the crops separate (it would be helpful if scientists could make the 2 types reproductively different so they could not cross). Another form of pest control not discussed is the use of crop friendly animals as predators for the pests. Just like the others though, this has some drawbacks including risks of altering ecosystems.
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