well as the glyphosate formulation Roundup. A study published in the May 2011 edition of the journal Reproductive Toxicology found that pregnant women and their fetuses were contaminated with pesticides and metabolites of the herbicide gluphosinate and the Cry1Ab protein. Though Bt is used by organic farmers as a least-toxic biological alternative to control bugs, organic farmers use Bt sparingly and only as a last resort. Conversely, thousands of acres of GE crops contain Bt, so experts believe itâ€™s only a matter of time before insects become resistant to Bt.
The use of GE crops engineered to produce Bt also contributes to widespread problems with insect resistance, making the insecticide entirely ineffective. In August of last year, news emerged that the corn rootworm pest was becoming resistant to Monsantoâ€™s Bt corn engineered with the Cry3Bb1 Bt protein and designed to be toxic to the rootworm. Additionally, recent data released in February shows that more than 40% of American farmers are neglecting to comply with mandatory management practices for Bt planting that are designed to minimize the risk of insect resistance.
To learn more about concerns related to genetic engineering in agriculture, visit our program page.
Genetic engineering as well as the effects of pesticides on human health will be topics of discussion at the 30th National Pesticide Forum on March 30-31st, 2012 at Yale University in New Haven, CT. Conference speakers include acclaimed ecologist and author Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., chairman and coounder of Stonyfield Farm Gary Hirshberg, Yale professor of environmental policy and political science John Wargo, Ph.D., and many more. To register and find information on lodging and travel, go to our Forum website.
Source: Test Biotech
All unattributed positions and opinions in this piece are those of Beyond Pesticides.