Pest Resistance is a major concern in the U.S. with a growing GM corn yield loss of 30.43% annually to rootworm alone (Gassmann 2012). Genetically modified corn was engineered to deal with the problem of this terrible North American pest. GM corn's genes were combined with a bacteria's genes to create a corn that fights off pest with the bacteria's toxin. While this innate pesticide sounds like the perfect solution, it was not long lasting. Growing numbers of rootworm populations are proving resistant to this toxin leaving these crops defenseless. Duplicate plantings of up to 50% of non-GMO corn are needed to try to slow the rate of resistance growth in populations of rootworms.
Seeking a Solution for the main issues raised by GM corn is not an easy matter. A study performed by Tefera, Mugo, Likhayo, and Beyene shows that some pest can be resisted by experimental hybrids with high results. This raises the question: Does the best course for fighting rootworm crop loss really lie with genetic modification?
To learn about how plants are genetically modified:
Seeking a Solution for the main issues raised by GM corn is not an easy matter. A study performed by Tefera, Mugo, Likhayo, and Beyene shows that some pest can be resisted by experimental hybrids with high results. This raises the question: Does the best course for fighting rootworm crop loss really lie with genetic modification?
To learn about how plants are genetically modified: