A growing number of rootworms are now able to devour genetically
modified corn specifically designed by Monsanto to kill those same
pests. A new study shows that while the biotech giant may triumph in
Congress, it will never be able to outsmart nature.
Western corn rootworms have been able to harmlessly consume the
genetically modified maize, a research paper published in the latest
issue of the journal GM Crops & Food reveals. A 2010 sample of the
rootworm population had an elevenfold survival rate on the genetically
modified corn compared to a control population. That’s eight times more
than the year before, when the resistant population was first
identified.
Experts are also noting that this year’s
resistant rootworm populations are maturing earlier than expected. In
fact, the time the bug’s larvae hatched was the earliest in decades.
“The
Western corn rootworm 'season' is underway at a pace earlier than I
have experienced since I began studying this versatile insect as a
graduate student in the late 1970s,” entomologist Mike Gray wrote in The Bulletin, a periodical issued by the University of Chicago’s Department of Crop Studies.
Studies
in other states have also revealed that the rootworm population is
becoming increasingly resistant to genetically modified corn. Last year,
Iowa State University researcher Aaron Gassmann noted that a number of
farmers reported discovering, much to their dismay, that a large number
of rootworms survived after the consumption of their GM crops. Gassmann
branded these pests “superbugs.”
Farmers and food
companies have increasingly been dependent on GM crops, and many have
abandoned crop rotation, a practice that has been used to stave off pest
infestations for centuries. Some have even gone as far as to ignore
federal regulation, which require the GM corn plantations be accompanied
by a small “refuge” of non-GM maize.
The recent
findings have potentially devastating ramifications for both farmers and
consumers. Genetic maize plantation would easily come under attack from
the swelling number of “superbugs,” resulting in dwindling
harvest numbers for farmers. Ultimately, consumers will pay the price
not only for corn, an essential product whose derivatives are used in a
plethora of products ranging from yogurts to baby powder, but for other
crops sold in the market. Rising corn prices would mean that more
farmers would plant corn, despite the risks, and the yield for other
crops would drop. That would drive prices for virtually all food items
up, hitting hard on a population already smitten by ongoing economic
difficulties.
Monsanto launched its anti-rootworm GM corm in
2003. The Cry3Bb1 protein, derived from the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt.)
bacterium, was inserted into the corn’s genetic code. The embedded
protein was supposed to be fatal to all rootworms.
The recent findings came days after Monsanto, along with other biotech companies, got a major boost from a congressional panel,
which okayed the manufacture of GM crops despite pending legal
challenges. Many of the lawsuits that Monsanto faces include assessments
that its crops are unsafe for human consumption and affect the health
of unborn children.
Monsanto has also been an active
plaintiff itself. Its primary targets include entities that seek to
label GM foods, and small farmers, whom the biotech behemoth accuses of
using genetically modified crops patented by Monsanto.
Source
GMO grass is linked as the trigger to mass cattle death out side of Austin.
Mysterious Mass Cattle Deaths May Be Caused By Random Grass Mutation
http://www.weareaustin.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_2393.shtml
A mysterious mass death of a herd of cattle has prompted a federal investigation in Central Texas.
Preliminary test results are blaming the deaths on the grass the cows were eating when they got sick.
The cows dropped dead several weeks ago on a ranch in Elgin, just east of Austin.
Jerry Abel opens the gate on his 80-acre ranch in Elgin, walking on a field of grass he's been using for cattle grazing and hay for 15 years.
"This is it, a lot of leaf, it's good, grass, tested high for protein - it should have been perfect," said Abel.
The grass is a genetically modified form of Bermuda known as Tifton 85 which has been growing here for 15 years, feeding Abel's 18 head of Corriente cattle. Corriente are used for team roping because of their small size and horns.
"When we opened that gate to that fresh grass, they were all very anxious to get to that," said Abel.
Three weeks ago, the cattle had just been turned out to enjoy the fresh grass, when something went terribly wrong.
"When our trainer first heard the bellowing, he thought our pregnant heifer may be having a calf or something," said Abel. "But when he got down here, virtually all of the steers and heifers were on the ground. Some were already dead, and the others were already in convulsions."
Within hours, 15 of the 18 cattle were dead.
"That was very traumatic to see, because there was nothing you could do, obviously, they were dying," said Abel.
Dr. Gary Warner, an Elgin veterinarian who specializes in cattle, conducted the 15 necropsy. Preliminary tests revealed the Tifton 85 grass, which has been here for years, had suddenly started producing cyanide gas, poisoning the cattle.
"Coming off the drought that we had the last two years, we're concerned it was a combination of events that led us to this," said Warner. "The problem is, we don't know, and there needs to be some caution exercised until we know more about the situation."
Until scientists can determine why this tried and true grass suddenly began producing cyanide, Abel is keep his livestock far away.
"The grasshoppers are enjoying it now," said Abel.
What is even more worrisome - other farmers have tested their Tifton 85 grass, and several in Bastrop County have found their fields are also toxic with cyanide, although no other cattle have died.
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture are dissecting the grass to determine if there might have been some strange, unexpected mutation. Source
GMO grass is linked as the trigger to mass cattle death out side of Austin.
Mysterious Mass Cattle Deaths May Be Caused By Random Grass Mutation
http://www.weareaustin.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_2393.shtml
A mysterious mass death of a herd of cattle has prompted a federal investigation in Central Texas.
Preliminary test results are blaming the deaths on the grass the cows were eating when they got sick.
The cows dropped dead several weeks ago on a ranch in Elgin, just east of Austin.
Jerry Abel opens the gate on his 80-acre ranch in Elgin, walking on a field of grass he's been using for cattle grazing and hay for 15 years.
"This is it, a lot of leaf, it's good, grass, tested high for protein - it should have been perfect," said Abel.
The grass is a genetically modified form of Bermuda known as Tifton 85 which has been growing here for 15 years, feeding Abel's 18 head of Corriente cattle. Corriente are used for team roping because of their small size and horns.
"When we opened that gate to that fresh grass, they were all very anxious to get to that," said Abel.
Three weeks ago, the cattle had just been turned out to enjoy the fresh grass, when something went terribly wrong.
"When our trainer first heard the bellowing, he thought our pregnant heifer may be having a calf or something," said Abel. "But when he got down here, virtually all of the steers and heifers were on the ground. Some were already dead, and the others were already in convulsions."
Within hours, 15 of the 18 cattle were dead.
"That was very traumatic to see, because there was nothing you could do, obviously, they were dying," said Abel.
Dr. Gary Warner, an Elgin veterinarian who specializes in cattle, conducted the 15 necropsy. Preliminary tests revealed the Tifton 85 grass, which has been here for years, had suddenly started producing cyanide gas, poisoning the cattle.
"Coming off the drought that we had the last two years, we're concerned it was a combination of events that led us to this," said Warner. "The problem is, we don't know, and there needs to be some caution exercised until we know more about the situation."
Until scientists can determine why this tried and true grass suddenly began producing cyanide, Abel is keep his livestock far away.
"The grasshoppers are enjoying it now," said Abel.
What is even more worrisome - other farmers have tested their Tifton 85 grass, and several in Bastrop County have found their fields are also toxic with cyanide, although no other cattle have died.
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture are dissecting the grass to determine if there might have been some strange, unexpected mutation. Source
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