Bt maize is a genetically modified crop that resists the corn borer pest through the use of a toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. Studies suggest it is safe for human consumption, but there are concerns about its impact on butterfly populations and interbreeding with regular corn. Refuge crops are used to discourage resistance to Bt.
Bt maize is a genetically modified organism (GMO) that has been bioengineered to resist the corn borer, a crop pest that can cause significant damage to crops. Many nations plant this type of corn and it is used in a variety of industries. Studies done on this GMO appear to suggest that it has no adverse effects on human health, leading many government agencies to certify it as safe for use.
This corn exploits a toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. The toxin, known as Bt, breaks down the intestines of corn borer and related organisms when ingested. The parasites typically die within two to three days of ingesting the toxin. As early as the 1930s, farmers were growing the bacterium as a method of pest control and spraying the toxin on their crops to prevent infestation by the pest.
Topical application of this natural pesticide had a few shortcomings, including uneven coverage and its eventual washing off. As a result, researchers have begun exploring the idea of inserting the genes that code for the toxin directly into the genetic code of the corn, along with a section of code known as the promoter, which would encourage the corn to produce the toxin, and a marker that could be used to track and identify modified corn.
After some trial and error, several companies had developed Bt corn, and the plant was inspected by government agencies to determine whether or not it was safe. Once approved, it could be planted by farmers, alongside so-called “refuge” crops of non-Bt maize. Refuge crops are used to discourage resistance to Bt by providing safe forage for the European maize bearer to eat. The idea is that if some insects develop resistance, they can mate with insects they’ve eaten from the shelter crop, diluting or eliminating the resistance. Conversely, a field covered only with Bt corn would promote resistance by killing all insects vulnerable to Bt and promoting the survival of resistant insects.
While this corn clearly has some benefits, it hasn’t been without controversy. Some researchers have raised concerns that corn or its pollen could impact butterfly populations, as butterfly larvae are vulnerable to the toxin. Studies have also shown that it has interbred with regular corn, creating weak amounts of the toxin in corn strains that shouldn’t have any Bt present. Some opponents of GMOs have also argued that not enough is known about their potential impacts on human health, making them safety risks.
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