February 28, 2018

GE corn gives higher yield, has lower toxin levels-new study

A new study says genetically engineered corn has a 5.6% to 24.5% higher yield than its non-GE counterparts, and that this could be attributed in part to insect resistance.

According to the study produced by researchers at the Institute of Life Sciences in Pisa, Italy, and the University of Pisa, and as relayed by the Journalist's Resource, a major pest, Diabrotica (the western corn rootworm), was successfully reduced in GE crops by 89.7% compared with non-GE corn.

The researchers reviewed 6,006 studies (76 of them were selected for inclusion) published between 1996 and 2016. They compared GE corn with genetically similar non-GE crops, focusing on traits like yield, grain quality and effects on targeted organisms (such as pests). All GE crops studied were insect-resistant, with some also herbicide-resistant.

The researchers found that concentrations of toxins produced by fungi were also lower in GE corn. Again, they trace this back to insect resistance, as the fungi that produce these toxins thrive in damaged ears.

It was also found that the composition of GE corn resembled that of non-GE plants in terms of protein, lipid and fiber concentrations.

Moreover, GE crops had little to no effects on insect populations not targeted by the genetic alterations, "suggesting no substantial effect on insect community diversity." However, they indicate that pests might develop resistance to GE crops.

The study noted that GE crops are taking over agribusiness, as insect-resistant corn acreage has grown from 8% in 1997 to 19% in 2000 and to 81% in 2015, based on US Department of Agriculture statistics.