May 21, 1999

The Biotechnology Industry Organization, responding to the initial flurry of media attention to an article in the journal Nature that the monarch butterfly was being threatened by genetically modified corn, says most monarch larvae "would never encounter significant amounts of corn pollen." The real potential for "any negative impact is negligible."

Among the consumer advocates' reactions to a Cornell University study that found possible adverse effects on the monarch butterfly from genetically modified corn was this, from the Union of Concerned Scientists: "America's most beloved butterfly may be imperiled."

Not necessarily so, says BIO, an organization representing more than 850 biotechnology companies, institutions and state biotech centers in 47 states. "Reports of the potential for effects from these Bt corn hybrids on monarch butterflies or other lepidoptera are not new. They have been reported in the scientific literature and regulatory review documents since at least 1986."

Data from USDA and the Environmental Protection Agency indicated that, "when compared with the numerous other relevant factors, the impacts from such pollen were likely to be negligible. The key issue is how large an impact is likely and how significant would such an impact be when compared with the numerous other significant factors known to have impacts on monarch ranges and numbers."

Margaret Mellon, agriculture and biotechnology program director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said EPA "rushed into allowing 20 million acres of this corn to be planted without thoroughly assessing its risks." EPA "must take action to protect the monarch butterfly and prevent other adverse ecological effects by denying any further approvals and renewals of Bt corn," the UCS said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the European Commission puts on hold its approval process for a genetically modified corn variety made by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL reported. No adverse consequences were seen for two GMO corn varieties already approved in the EU.