Using CT also benefits ecosystems, improving the habitat for wildlife and other living things including soil microorganisms, invertebrates, birds and mammals. Products such as Roundup Ready corn and Roundup Ready soybeans help facilitate CT practices. By inserting information into a plant's genetic code, it's possible to create crops that are able to thrive without the application of as many insecticides. Bt bacteria produce proteins that target selected insect pests, enabling these crops to protect themselves from insects and diseases, cutting down on the need to use insecticides. Bt -enhanced corn that, because of the Bt gene, is resistant to European corn borers.
Corn borers damage growing corn by hollowing out the inside of the stalk.
This action directly reduces yield and because it also weakens the stalk, the corn may fall down and be lost. Until insect-protected corn, chemical insecticides provided the only way to deal with corn borers, and that was only partially effective. There are also energy benefits. When protected from corn borers, energy can be saved by leaving the crop in the field longer to naturally dry down with less likelihood of falling down. There are also savings from not having to use the raw materials necessary to manufacture, package, ship and apply insecticides.