But certainly this study raises great concern. The companies have said the toxin produced by the corn would not harm any beneficial insects. Researchers at Cornell University fed monarch butterfly caterpillars leaves of milkweed that had been dusted with the pollen of genetically modified corn. Half of those fed the corn pollen died within four days, while all of those fed regular corn pollen survived. The effects of this pollen on the population of wild insects is unknown.
Nature is a delicate balance.
We already know that there are dire consequences to upsetting that balance. Gene pollution cannot be cleaned up. Once these genetically engineered organisms, bacteria, and viruses are released into the environment it is impossible to recall them. Negative effects can be irreversible. Our government currently requires no labeling of genetically engineered foods.