| OCT. 10, 2002,
CropChoice
News: Midwestern farmers and environmental
organizations want Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to
stop the marketing of certain corn varieties produced
by Garst Seed Co. that contain a toxic mold until tests
determine whether they caused infertility in hogs and
cattle in midwestern states.
A USDA spokeswoman says that responsibility for investigating
the corn lies with the Food and Drug Administration,
which reportedly is doing just that.
Although the corn, genetically engineered to express
the insecticidal bacterium bacillus thuringiensis (Bt),
is supposed to better resist molds than conventional
corn, tests show it contains high levels of fusarium
mold, which can sicken humans and livestock.
Source: Associated Press
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