Bt corn is a GMO (genetically modified organism) and is also called the Transgenic maize corn. Bt stands for Bacillus thuringiensis. And Bt corn is formed when the gene is inserted into its DNA in which it protects the corn from insects. The gene was isolated from the Bacillus thuringiensis, a microorganism found in soil.
Bt corn is resistant to herbicides, which makes it possible to use herbicides without damaging or killing the crop itself. Insecticides are no longer necessary with Bt corn, because the introduction of the Bt gene protects it from pests.
Although there were concerns of Bt corn pollen producing a threat to the monarch butterflies, studies later showed that this was not the case.
the pests themselves can become resistant to the Bt toxin. farmers who grow Bt corn are required to also plant regular corn close by. The regular corn is supposed to harbor pests so it is less likely that natural selection will help develop a Bt resistant population. There are also concerns with cross pollination, but because pollen are wind born, planting a larger field of non Bt corn can solve the issue.
Buske.C. Bt Corn. Available at: http://biotechpharmaceuticals.suite101.com/article.cfm/bt_corn
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