In response, other researchers described the use of 8t as a biocontrol agent since 1938 because of its selective toxicity to certain species within a given insect order. After extensive studies dealing with the likelihood that 8t corn pollen would be found on milkweed plants near cornfields that are close to the habitats of monarch butterflies, safeguards were set to decrease the risk of Bt corn pollen to monarchs: 1) farmers in monarch-rich areas should choose to grow 8t corn with [Lower toxicity levels; 2) plant a border of 000-8t corn around a Bt cornfield to decrease the problem of pollen drift to milkweed plants; and 3) plant milkweeds at sites away from cornfields to increase the probability of female monarchs encountering milkweed plants that are uncontaminated with corn pollen.
What is the controversy surrounding Bt corn and the monarch butterfly?
In response, other researchers described the use of 8t as a biocontrol agent since 1938 because of its selective toxicity to certain species within a given insect order. After extensive studies dealing with the likelihood that 8t corn pollen would be found on milkweed plants near cornfields that are close to the habitats of monarch butterflies, safeguards were set to decrease the risk of Bt corn pollen to monarchs: 1) farmers in monarch-rich areas should choose to grow 8t corn with [Lower toxicity levels; 2) plant a border of 000-8t corn around a Bt cornfield to decrease the problem of pollen drift to milkweed plants; and 3) plant milkweeds at sites away from cornfields to increase the probability of female monarchs encountering milkweed plants that are uncontaminated with corn pollen.