Just to clarify: no one is saying GMO corn causes rootworms to develop resistance to the Bt protein engineered into the corn. Rather, the Bt protein kills all rootworms except those that already have a natural resistance to Bt, thereby allowing those few Bt-resistant rootworms to reproduce and pass the resistance genes on to ever-increasing numbers of offspring. It's a form of selection--in this case unnatural selection.--Tom


-----Original Message-----
From: Laurel Hopwood <[log in to unmask]>
To: CONS-SPST-BIOTECH-FORUM <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wed, Mar 19, 2014 1:56 pm
Subject: Genetically manipulated Bt corn losing effect

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2014/03/rootworm-resistance-bt-corn/
(edited)
After years of predicting it would happen - and after years of having their suggestions largely ignored by companies, farmers and regulators - scientists have documented the rapid evolution of corn rootworms that are resistant to Bt corn.
'A widespread increase in trait failure maybe just around the corner.'
In a new paper, Iowa State U entomologist Aaron Gassmann describes more incidents of Bt resistance. He also found rootworms resistant to a second variety of Bt corn. Moreover, being resistant to one variety heightened the chances of resistance to another.
Gassmann, A. J. et al. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1317179111 (2014).

laurel writes: Herbicide resistance will probably result in more pesticide use as 2-4D-ready and dicamba-ready crops  may very well be around the corner and now insect resistance is accelerating. Obviously, GMO is not the way to go!
VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLAR - choose organics and/or products verified by the Non-GMO Project
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