FIELD EVIDENCE CONFIRMS GENE-ALTERED CORN KILLS MONARCH BUTTERFLIES
Responsibility now on Kellogg’s to stop using butterfly-killing corn

21 August 2000

WASHINGTON -- A two-year field study on the effects of transgenic corn has confirmed that pollen from the genetically engineered (GE) crop can kill monarch butterflies. Results from Iowa State University published in the science journal, Oecologia, validate a 1999 laboratory study showing that insecticidal "Bt" corn can be harmful to monarch larvae. The Iowa study concludes that risks to monarchs "may be substantial", and warned, "the ecological effects of transgenic insecticidal crops need to be evaluated more fully before they are planted over extensive areas."

"Food producers like Kellogg's have the clear responsibility to stop using these untested GE foods," said Charles Margulis, Greenpeace genetic engineering specialist. "Kellogg's can no longer ignore doctors and scientists who have warned that these foods may not be safe for our children or our environment." Kellogg’s avoids genetically engineered foods in its products in Europe, but the company tells consumers in the U.S. that the corn they eat may be genetically altered.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has already allowed about 20 million acres of Bt corn to be grown in the U.S., and earlier this month announced it would postpone its review of the genetically engineered crops for another year. Greenpeace, the Center for Food Safety and a coalition of organic farmers filed suit against EPA last year to force the agency to cancel its registration of Bt crops, due in part to the potential effects on non-target species like monarch butterflies.

The biotech industry has widely promoted Bt corn as a way for farmers to reduce insecticides. Yet the Iowa study points out that before the genetically engineered corn was available, only about 2% of corn was sprayed for the insect killed by the Bt toxin. Other analyses have also found that GE crops have not decreased pesticide use.

"Bt corn only benefits the biotech industry while putting consumers and the environment at risk," said Margulis. "While the world is rejecting these genetically contaminated foods, Kellogg’s continues to force feed Americans unlabeled GE foods. Kellogg’s is obviously willing to put its biotech buddies ahead of its customers, and monarch butterflies, when it comes to safe food and the environment."

Greenpeace and the Center for Food Safety are now preparing a series of legal challenges to EPA’s registration of Bt crops due to the agency’s failure to take action to protect the environment from the adverse effects of genetically engineered plants. "Despite mounting evidence of environmental threats, EPA continues to give the biotech industry a free ride when it comes to its risky genetic foods," added Margulis.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Charles Margulis, +1 (202) 258-3029 (mobile);
- Kimberley Wilson, Greenpeace GE Campaigner, +1 (415) 512-1032;
- Craig Culp, Greenpeace, +1 (202) 319-2461, +1 (202) 251-6296 (mobile).

Visit Greenpeace's GE campaign website: www.greenpeace.org/~geneng/gehome.htm

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