Corn Rootworm Resistant Corn

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Corn Rootworm Resistant Corn is a type of Bt corn. It is corn that has been genetically engineered to produce an insecticidal protein that is naturally made by a bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), in every cell of the plant. The GE corn variety is intended to kill the corn rootworm. However, by 2011, pests evolved resistance to Bt.[1] Bt Crops and genetically modified organisms are controversial around the world.

Timeline

2002:

  • October 8: U.S. deregulates Monsanto's variety MON 863, which produces a Cry3Bb1 protein.

2003:

  • Monsanto commercializes MON 863 as "YieldGard Rootworm® Corn."[2]
  • Monsanto also sells the MON 863 trait in a "stacked" variety called YieldGard Rootworm insect-protected corn stacked with Roundup Ready Corn 2.

2004:

  • Monsanto sells "YieldGard Plus corn," a product with both the corn rootworm resistance trait (MON 863) and a European corn borer resistance trait (MON 810).

2005:

  • 2007:
  • March 16: U.S. deregulates Syngenta's variety MIR604, which contains a modified cry3A gene.

Corn Rootworm Resistant Products

The following products are genetically engineered with Bt genes that are intended to provide resistance to corn rootworm:

Monsanto:

Dow Agrosciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred International:[5]

Pioneer Hi-Bred (DuPont):[6]

Syngenta:

  • Agrisure® RW
  • GT/RW (MIR604 and SYTGA21)
  • Agrisure® CB/LL/RW (Bt11 and MIR604)
  • Agrisure® 3000GT (Bt11, SYTGA21, and MIR604)

Articles and resources

Related SourceWatch articles

References

  1. Clay Dillow, "Pests Are Developing Resistance to Monsanto's Engineered Supercorn," Popular Science, August 30, 2011, Accessed September 1, 2011.
  2. Monsanto Company History, Accessed August 11, 2012.
  3. Monsanto Company History, Accessed August 11, 2012.
  4. A Compendium of Corn Biotech Traits, Purdue University, Accessed August 11, 2012.
  5. A Compendium of Corn Biotech Traits, Purdue University, Accessed August 11, 2012.
  6. Optimum AcreMax, Accessed August 14, 2012.

External resources

External articles