Maize evolved from a dry grassland plant called teosinte and has been bred over time to produce the corn plant we know today. Genetically modified corn, or transgenic corn, is corn that has been modified with human intervention to produce a more desirable product, such as resistance to environmental limitations, pests, and diseases. However, there are concerns about the safety and environmental impact of GM crops.
Maize, also known as maize, began life as a dry grassland plant called teosinte about 10,000 years ago. Over the time since then, teosinte plants have been bred with each other and other plants to produce the corn plant we know today. As human consumption and the demand for grain crops change, the need for different plants arises. Strictly speaking, modified corn refers to any corn that is modified with human intervention to produce a more desirable product. The term typically refers to corn that has been genetically modified to resist environmental limitations or threats, pests and diseases.
Like all living things, corn contains organic markers called genes. The genes control the characteristics of the plant – whether it is resistant to pesticides, how big it gets, how hardy it is and whether or not it can defend itself against predators. Genetically modified corn, also called transgenic corn, starts out like regular corn. Scientists then tinker with plant genes to produce more desirable traits.
BT corn is an example of modified corn. BT corn is regular corn that has been implanted with bacteria that occur naturally in soil called Bacillus thuringiensis. The crystalline proteins produced by this bacterium are toxic to most of the natural pests that plague corn plants. By inserting these proteins into the genetic material of plants, corn produces toxins that kill off any invading insects that try to destroy the plants.
When weeds take over a growing field, they take up valuable nutrients from the soil. Without the full benefit of these nutrients, plants are less hardy and produce smaller yields. Some strains of modified corn are genetically engineered with a resistance to chemical herbicides. Farmers can then spray herbicides on their fields to reduce the presence of weeds while ensuring their corn crop remains safe.
There are concerns about the safety of GM crops. By introducing plant toxins, growers put people at risk for allergic reactions and health problems. Preliminary research into the effects of modified corn suggests that prolonged ingestion of some variants can lead to kidney and liver problems.
Environmental concerns arise when GM plants pass their traits on to wild or unmodified versions of plants, thereby reducing biodiversity. Pesticide and herbicide resistance is also a concern when it comes to modified crops. Because plants are resistant to herbicides, larger and harsher chemicals may be needed in the future to kill undesirable plants. As the bugs get used to the toxins found in the modified corn plants, different, harsher toxins may be needed to kill those bugs.
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