Journal or Publishing Institution: BioScience
Author(s): Obrycki, J.J., Losey, J.E., Taylor, O.R., and Hansen, L.C.
Article Type: Journal Publication
Record ID: 1800
Text: We applaud Obrycki and colleagues (2001) for addressing the promise and potential pitfalls of transgenic insecticidal corn developed to control lepidopteran pests. Commercially grown varieties of such corn each produce a protein encoded by a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The primary target of currently grown Bt corn is the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis. Obrycki and colleagues cite evidence that insecticide use against this pest was relatively low before the introduction of Bt corn, especially in Iowa and Minnesota. We agree that when insecticide use against a particular pest is low, transgenic crops designed to control that pest are unlikely to substantially reduce insecticide use. However, contrary to the boxed statement in large type at the beginning of the article, we propose that analysis of currently available Bt corn cannot be extrapolated to evaluate the potential risks and benefits of genetic engineering for insect pest management…
Keywords: agricultural biotechnology, transgenic insecticidal corn, lepidopteran pests, Bt corn, risks, benefits
Citation: Obrycki, J.J., Losey, J.E., Taylor, O.R., and Hansen, L.C., 2001. Response to: Supporting a cautious approach to agricultural biotechnology. BioScience, 51, 906.
