Science & Technology

Insects evolving resistance to GM crops

By T.K. Randall
June 11, 2013 ·  5 comments

Image Credit: sxc.hu Five out of the thirteen most prominent crop pests appear to have developed immunity to the genetically engineered alterations, leading to valuable new data for scientists attempting to keep ahead of the game. A combination of factors including more widespread use of the GM crops and greater exposure of insects to pesticides have been attributed to the increase in adaptation.

One of the common techniques used to decrease the chance that insects will adapt is to plant a "refuge" of non-GM crops on land opposite the GM fields. Immune insects will then be more likely to mate with non-immune insects in the non-GM crop, resulting in offspring that are themselves susceptible to the insecticide.

Source: Bloomberg | Comments (5)

Tags: