Cornell Report - Industry Response

[Paul Cherubini]

Neil Jones wrote:
 
> The question isn't just whether there is a toxic effect, it is also whether
> there is an ecological effect.
> It is clear that distributing Bacillus thurigiensis "toxin" into the
> environment will have effects on the predator prey system.

Neil, the Cornell researchers said this:

 ``It's certainly a serious potential problem,''[for the monarch
butterfly] John Losey, of Cornell University, said in a telephone
interview.

 ``If it's really having an impact on a large proportion of the
population
(of monarch butterflies) I think it is a very serious problem.'' [Losey
said]

 ``Monarchs are considered to be a flagship species for conservation.
This
is a warning bell,'' said Linda Rayor, a co-author of the study.

This is the news [about grave potential impacts specifically on the
Monarch butterfly] that sent Monsanto's stock tumbling and prompted
environmental groups around the world to call for a ban on Genetically
Modified Crops. 

Do you agree with the Cornell researchers and Professor Chip Taylor who
insist it's conceivable that Bt corn pollen could have "an impact on a
large proportion of the population of monarch butterflies"? (or as Chip
Taylor said, reduce the size of the monarch fall migratory population
"up to 100,000,000 butterflies" which is equivalent to approximately 50%
of that population being wiped out)?

If so, will you provide us with a scenario in which Bt. corn pollen
could have such a dramatic impact on the summer monarch breeding or fall
migratory population and what assumptions would have to be made? I have
yet to encounter a concerned scientist or individual willing to publicly
provide a scenario in which the monarch could be so seriously impacted.

Paul Cherubini, Placerville, California