Open AccessNatural born killers.
Author(s) -
C W Schmidt
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
environmental health perspectives
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.257
H-Index - 282
eISSN - 1552-9924
pISSN - 0091-6765
DOI - 10.1289/ehp.98106a432
Subject(s) - bacillus thuringiensis , pesticide , pest analysis , genetically modified crops , genetically modified organism , genetically modified maize , microbiology and biotechnology , population , genetically engineered , biology , toxicology , agronomy , transgene , environmental health , botany , bacteria , medicine , biochemistry , genetics , gene
This year, 30 million acres of the corn, cotton, and potatoes planted in the United States will have been genetically engineered to produce an endotoxin normally found in the microbe Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a self-contained pesticide that will be toxic only to target insects. Transgenic pest-resistant crops are a cost-effective alternative to chemical pesticides, and may offer a way to help feed the world's growing population with minimal environmental impact.