Bt corn, which is a genetically modified strain of corn that kills insects that ingest it, is a very controversial crop. Some studies at prestigious colleges, like Cornell, have shown that it kills monarch butterflies and damages the ecosystem. Other researchers believe that it is very beneficial in increasing crop yield and also claim that it is more effective than pesticides in reducing corn borer. There are many advantages and disadvantages to using Bt corn. Bt corn is a form of corn in which Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacteria, is transplanted into the corn as a form of pesticide. Ric Beesin, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky, says: "A donor organism can be a bacteria... In the case of Bt corn... Bacillus thuringiensis, and the gene of interest produces a protein that kills the larvae of lepidoptera... Growers use Bt. corn as an alternative to spraying insecticides to control the European and Southwestern corn borer. (Bessin) The basic idea of ​​Bt corn is, as Beesin says, an alternative to spraying. In addition, Bessin also claimed that Bt corn is useful in eradicating Lepidoptera larvae. Beesin alludes to the fact that Bt corn “is very selective and generally does not harm insects of other orders (such as beetles, flies, bees and wasps)” (Bessin). Due to its selectivity, Bt corn also reduces damage to the natural ecosystem in addition to eliminating corn borers. According to Syngenta, a major producer of Bt corn, “Once the European corn borer enters the corn stalk…conventional treatments are not always effective, or even possible…[The insects] continue to eat away at the inside of the corn stalk. corn stalk. Eventually, enough damage is done that the corn plant can be easily blown over by wind or even knocked over by rain... middle of paper ...... Bt corn, compared to conventional corn. Milkweed, which is the main food source for monarch butterflies (study), can easily become contaminated when pollen is washed from fields and released into the environment. Contamination of milkweed kills monarch butterflies and, as such, affects the entire environment. Bt corn is a controversial issue. This benefits farmers and crops at the expense of neighboring ecosystems. Personally, I think the benefits of Bt corn far outweigh the harms. A simple solution to the environmental problem would be to simply create a buffer zone around crop fields. According to research at Cornell, Bt pollen travels up to 60 meters, which could easily negate this by creating a 60-meter buffer around fields. Overall, I think the minor damage to monarch butterflies far outweighs the increased yield and benefits to corn growers..