ARS | Publication request: OF MONARCHS AND MEN:POSSIBLE INFLUENCES OF BT CORN IN THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY

Submitted to: Integrated Crop Management Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: November 29, 2000
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: This presentation considered damage potential of the European corn borer, use of Bt corn as a pest management tool, farmers' perceptions of Bt corn, and research conducted to address possible effects of Bt corn on the monarch butterfly. Possible risks that Bt corn poses to nontarget insects, such as the monarch butterfly, must be reasonably balanced with the benefits of Bt corn. High-quality research is necessary so that decisions can be based on sound science. The consortium of researchers, industry, and environmental advocacy groups that has been assembled to address concerns related to the monarch butterfly and Bt corn represents an unparalleled level of cooperation and is indicative of the product stewardship that is essential for the full benefits of the technology to be realized. The results presented are preliminary and still must be peer reviewed and published. Plus, more data from the consortium of scientists must be considered. But, preliminary results suggest that Bt corn (excluding 176 corn) may have little, if any, negative effects on monarch butterflies. The monarch issue has drawn attention to the need for effective communication of risk assessment, particularly to non-scientific audiences.