Monsanto's Resistant Super Bugs

Did you hear that crash? It’s the sound of corn stalks toppling over, their root systems ravaged by rootworms. But wait, didn’t Monsanto promise that their genetically-modified (GM) corn, bred to include Bt toxins, would resist pests? Turns out that after only a few years, insects have already evolved to resist Bt, and are now attacking corn fields in the Midwest. If we keep allowing monoculture fields of Monsanto’s Bt corn, soon there will be no way to fight these super bugs.

To promote crop rotation and to create “refuges” for non-resistant rootworms, the EPA mandates that farmers use non-Bt corn for at least 20% of their fields. But unfortunately, blinded by Monsanto’s promises of higher yields, not all farmers are complying with the regulations. In fact, data from the Center for Science in the Public Interest suggests that one out of every four farmers who plants Bt corn is not in compliance, and the number is growing. This drastically increases the likelihood that pesticide-resistant insects will attack future crops, including organic and non-GM corn.

Ask the EPA to enforce their rules requiring the planting of other types of corn, and require the use of non-GM seed on at least 20% of land.