Advances in molecular biology have permitted scientists to genetically alter plants to make them more resistant to pests, including insects, mites, fungi, bacteria, viruses and small animals. In August 1996, a group representing 80,000 biologists and food experts published a comprehensive report condemning the EPA proposal.
All plants are able to prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate pests.
While pest resistance can be determined by specific genes, the ability to respond to and resist pests is a characteristic of the plant and cannot be separated for regulatory purpose from the plant itself. Evaluation of the safety of substances in plants should be based on the toxicological and exposure characteristics of the substance and not on whether the substance confers protection against a plant pest. Keep this story in mind next time you hear Monsanto complaining about junk science. Material presented on this home page constitutes opinion of the author. All rights reserved.