Journal or Publishing Institution: Environmental Biosafety Research
Study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16402666
Author(s): Zwahlen, C. and Andow, D.A.
Article Type: Peer Reviewed Study
Record ID: 1777
Abstract: Non-target organisms associated with the soil might be adversely affected by exposure to the CrylAb protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in transgenic corn (Zea mays L.). To check for such exposure, we used ELISA to test for Cry1Ab in ground beetles collected live from fields with Bt corn residues and Bt corn (Bt/Bt), Bt corn residues and non-Bt crops (Bt/non-Bt), or non-Bt corn residues and non-Bt crops (non-Bt/non-Bt). In fields with Bt corn residues (Bt/Bt and Bt/non-Bt), Cry1Ab was present in all seven species of ground beetles examined (Agonum placidum, Bembidion rupicola, Clivina impressefrons, Cyclotrachelus iowensis, Harpalus pensylvanicus, Poecilus chalcites, and Poecilus lucublandus). For the two most abundant species, P. chalcites and P. lucublandus, the proportion of beetles with Cry1Ab was significantly higher in Bt/Bt fields (0.50-1.0) and Bt/non-Bt fields (0.41-0.50) than in non-Bt/non-Bt fields (0.0). This is the first field evidence that some ground beetle species are exposed to Cry1Ab. The implications of exposure on the performance of these non-target organisms are unclear.
Keywords: Genetically Modified Bt Crops, Bacillus thuringiensis, Carabidae, Risk Assessment, ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay); Animals, Bacterial Proteins, Bacterial Toxins, Coleoptera, Endotoxins, Environmental Exposure, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Hemolysin Proteins, Minnesota, Genetically Modified Plants, Species Specificity, Zea mays; Isolation & Purification, Chemistry, Analysis, Genetics, Metabolism
Citation: Zwahlen, C. and Andow, D.A., 2005. Field evidence for the exposure of ground beetles to Cry1Ab from transgenic corn. Environmental Biosafety Research, 4(2), pp.113-117.
