Genetically engineered maize that produces the insecticide Bt is less prone
to mould. Gary Munkvold of Iowa State University says caterpillars killed by Bt
maize spread the spores of moulds and promote infection by wounding plants.
Fusarium mould produces toxins called fumonisins, which poison cows and pigs
and may be human carcinogens, while Aspergillus produces toxic
aflatoxin. Munkvold reports that some Bt maize carries less than a tenth as much
fumonisin and less than a quarter as much aflatoxin as non-Bt strains.
More from Â鶹´«Ã½
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending Â鶹´«Ã½ articles
1
Exclusive report: Inside Chernobyl, 40 years after nuclear disaster
2
The biggest threat to Chernobyl is no longer radiation
3
Neanderthal infants were enormous compared with modern humans
4
The rise, the fall and the rebound of cyclic cosmology
5
Beef is making a comeback – does it fit into a healthy diet?
6
From autism to migraines, birth order may have wide-reaching effects
7
Electric vehicle owners could earn thousands by supporting power grid
8
Largest ever map of universe captures 47 million galaxies and quasars
9
My life as a meteorologist in Chernobyl under Russian occupation
10
Particles seen emerging from empty space for first time
