of a toxin in the soil that remain deadly for pests for a long period and may have untold effects on other insects. This study is based upon experiments showing that transgenic corn has a devastating effect on North American monarch butterflies. This effect on the monarch butterfly has created a negative public concern, which is associated with press coverage of technological controversy. Researchers at New York University and the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Investigation examined a type of maize, called Bt corn, that has been modified to release toxins in the foliage to kill caterpillars and other pests. The only problem with this is that they also found that roots of the corn also exuded the toxin. Many plants produce a number of toxins and antinutritional factors that are thought to provide resistance to natural herbivores. In most domesticated crop species, the concentrations of such toxins are so low that they present no health concerns. In other species, breeders routinely screen new varieties to make sure that toxins are within a safe limit. In genetically modified crop plants, toxins are of concern in any species in which unsafe levels have been found. Before marketing, genetically modified crops must undergo extensive food, feed, and environmental safety assessments. The Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Heath Inspection Services all have jurisdiction for monitoring and regulating the development, testing, and release of genetically modified plants and plant products. Once genetically modified corn is regarded as safe, we must determine whether or not it will sell successfully in the markets.Success in the MarketsVast corporations process and handle the genetically modified products. Many of the companies purchase the agricultural products, process them, and distribute them to the supermarkets under their na...
