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What is Bt Corn?
Bt-Corn: What It Is and How It Works
Bt-corn is a type of genetically modified organism, termed GMO. A GMO is a plant or animal that has been genetically modified through the addition of a small amount of genetic material from other organisms through molecular techniques. Currently, the GMOs on the market today have been given genetic traits to provide protection from pests, tolerance to pesticides, or improve its quality.
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Caterpillars can damage corn crops. Bt extracted from a bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) is a pesticide that is toxic to caterpillars. The Bt gene can be inserted into the corn genome to yield a GMOcorn with built-in pest resistance. Farmers no longer need to spray crops with the Bt pesticide.
Source: Biology 1100: Bio1100. (n.d.). Retrieved March 08, 2018, from http://bio1100.nicerweb.com/
Benefits
- Building a better harvest
The article offers information on efforts of agricultural scientists to develop methods of protecting crops from threats and pests and increase yields. It mentions the impact of microbes in plant defense mechanism along with their influence on weather and rain. It also discusses role of several factors including quality of soil, nutrients and chemical fertilisers, on the health of plants.
Potential Problems
- Transgenic Insecticidal Corn: Beyond Insecticidal Toxicity to Ecological Complexity.
Presents analysis of transgenic insecticidal corn, which was developed for lepidopteran pests. Potential benefits of crop engineering for insect pest management, which may not outweigh potential ecological and economic risks; Disadvantages which include selection for resistance among populations of target pests.
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