Who invented bt corn

Farmers found out that the corn borers died after eating only a few bites of the Bt corn plant. Monsanto was not far behind with its own Bt corn, and other companies like Pioneer have either developed their own strains or licensed the technology from other companies. Agricultural scientists are now taking genetic modification further by "stacking" two or more genetic traits in a single plant.

In one variety, there eight different genetic modifications in a single hybrid of corn. Written by Bill Ganzel, the Ganzel Group. First published in A partial bibliography of sources is here. In the 's use of Bt increased when insects became increasingly resistant to the synthetic insecticides and scientists and environmentalists became aware that the chemicals were harming the environment.

Bt is organic and it affects specific insects and does not persist in the environment. Because of this, governments and private industries started to fund research on Bt. Today, there are thousands of strains of Bt.

Many of them have genes that encode unique toxic crystals in their DNA. With the advancement in molecular biology, it soon became feasible to move the gene that encodes the toxic crystals into a plant. The first genetically engineered plant, corn, was registered with the EPA in Today, GM genetically modified crops including, potato and cotton are planted throughout the world. The Bt endotoxin is considered safe for humans, other mammals, fish, birds, and the environment because of its selectivity.

Bt has been available as a commercial microbial insecticide since the s and is sold under many trade names. These products have an excellent safety record and can be used on many crops until the day of harvest. To kill a susceptible insect, a part of the plant that contains the Bt protein not all parts of the plant necessarily contain the protein in equal concentrations must be ingested.

Within minutes, the protein binds to the gut wall and the insect stops feeding. Within hours, the gut wall breaks down and normal gut bacteria invade the body cavity.

The insect dies of septicaemia as bacteria multiply in the blood. Even among Lepidoptera larvae, species differ in sensitivity to the Bt protein. Do Bt-corn hybrids differ only in that they possess the genetic code to produce the Bt protein? Not exactly. To add a trait to a crop plant, the gene must be inserted along with some additional genetic material. The organic ones cost more than I am willing to expend on junk food, and the other ones are not, as you've pointed out, food.

And now evil Monsanto is trying to ruin other things, too. Good grief, our yard is too small to grow wheat. Laura — I've been experimenting with drying veggie "chips" in the dehydrator.

Once harvest slows down, I may try blending up some corn and seeing if I could make some chips out of that. Any chance you could buy in bulk somewhere, or join a natural foods buying club? These are both ways I keep our food budget in line, but I know it can be tough. Oh hell I am not sure I can take this.

So much info and a bit freaked out just found your site a week or so ago and I agree, but am not sure how to manage it. I have been sick am still sick for a long time and I think it is from toxins that my body has been exposed too. I need basic detox etc….. Kathy — did you see the detox post?

Also Bt is in mosquito dunks. I use mosquito dunks in my self watering containers that I grow my veggies in and it ultimately ends up in my veggies. Since it is basically a naturally occurring bacteria, it makes sense that their would be a variety of strains. Would there be a practical way to screen the standing water in your self-watering containers to keep the wee beasties out? Something else that might be worth experimenting with would be putting a couple drops of catnip essential oil in each container.

Since oils naturally float on water, I suspect it would coat the water surface, making it less inviting for the little pests. The oil is fairly expensive, but a little goes a long way.

Thank you! I like the idea of experimenting with catnip oil. Yes, a bit pricey, but when I decide to order it, I will come back and order through your page. I really appreciate the info you pull together. It keeps my head from spinning less. I bought my self watering containers a few years ago and now see improved designs which will keep the mosquitoes out. Slow improvements. Looks like I missed this the first time around. Thank you, Facebook!

But goodness. I was also disturbed to read that GMO potatoes are on the market! The list keeps getting longer….

I know! One day, one meal at a time. OCD be damned. I appreciate all the hard work you do for us! Buy all organic? Just do the best you can, where you are, with what you have. Every day, every week, every year that goes by I learn something new. Baby steps are easier than a complete overhaul.

Given the prevalence of GMOs in certain crops, the odds of other non-certified organic products containing GMOs is extremely high.