A: GMO is short for genetically modified organism. A GMO is a living organism into which a foreign gene has been inserted to cause it to express a certain trait of that gene. In the case of Bt corn, that trait is the insecticidal properties of a protein created by the Bt gene. Genetically modified is also known as genetically enhanced (GE).

A: Atlas brand Roundup Ready soybean varieties and corn hybrids with the NGBt1 gene are GE. Both of these product lines have been approved for importation into the European Union (EU).

A: Mycogen offers a number of special traits in its product lineup that are not GE. These traits were identified through natural selection; breeders identified these traits in specific lines of plants and bred them into the Mycogen product lineup. Special traits that are in the Mycogen line that are not GE are: Clearfield (IMI) Production System, enhanced European corn borer native protection, Supercede and TMF™ Silage-Specific^sm corn hybrids, SCN resistant and STS soybeans and potato leafhopper resistant alfalfa varieties. If any of these traits are combined in a Bt hybrid or Roundup Ready variety, then the crop should be considered genetically enhanced.

A: Yes. Before GE crops can be approved for sale, they must go through rigorous tests and regulatory reviews. For instance, Mycogen hybrids with the NGBt1 gene have been approved for sale by the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. They have also been approved for sale and import into the EU.

A: Genetically enhanced crops are new to the market and consumers are more or less uneducated about the science around food, feed and fiber that contains GE traits. This lack of information can lead to uncertainty and the potential for emotion to override science.

A: Many elevators are accepting GE grain that is not approved for importation into the European Union. However, some U.S. exporters are not accepting unapproved grain because they are concerned that the EU will reject these shipments for importation.

Most of the genetically modified crops sold in the United States are approved for importation into the EU, including all Mycogen hybrids with the NGBt1 gene and Atlas brand Roundup Ready soybean varieties.

A: All Mycogen products, GE and conventional, are approved for import into the Europe Union, Japan and Canada. It is not anticipated that these will be rejected. However, producers should contact their local elevator to ensure its acceptance.

If farmers have concerns about whether they can market their grain, they should check the Grain Handler’s Database at www.amseed.com or talk to their local elevator. A link to the database can also be found at www.mycogen.com.

A: Some elevators do not have the capacity to segregate GE grain from conventional grain; nor do they have the capability to differentiate GE grain that is approved for importation into the EU from that which is not. In addition, some food processors are requesting conventional grain, and elevators are supplying this request. It is recommended that farmers check with their local elevator or grain buyer to ensure they accept GE grain.

A: In 1998, about 18 percent of the total U.S. corn crop was exported, of that 18 percent, only 2.9 million bushels (.03 percent of the total U.S. corn crop) were exported to the EU. Of the 2.7 billion bushels of soybeans that were produced in the United States in 1998, 770 million were exported and 1/3 of those exports went to the EU.

A: Since some elevators may be segregating GE and conventional grain, Mycogen recommends that farmers keep their GE grain separate from conventional grain whenever it is possible. This practice will minimize risk and improve the efficiency of doing business with grain buyers.

A: There are a number of tests available to detect either the presence of the gene or the byproduct of the gene in the grain. Two of the more common tests are PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and ELISA (Immunoassay). The ELISA test detects the presence of the protein created by the gene in the sample. It is anticipated that this will be the more common of the two tests used at elevators as it is the cheaper and quicker of the two. PCR detects the presence of the DNA in the sample. These tests are extremely sensitive and can discriminate between types of genetic enhancement (e.g. YieldGard vs. NatureGard). PCR testing is the current method of choice in Europe.

A: Yes. It is possible that stray pollen from GE corn could pollinate conventional grain. Depending on the test used at the elevator, these impurities could be detected. Due to the distance corn pollen can travel and the physical contamination which can occur during harvest and storage, some impurities should be expected by the grain industry, and zero tolerance will be difficult to achieve. Producers can minimize their risk of contamination to their conventional corn by isolating their conventional corn fields by at least 660 feet from GE cornfields.

Although rare, some contamination in soybeans has been documented. Contamination of conventional soybeans can occur through pollination by insects or harvest or storage equipment that has not been thoroughly cleaned after GE grain has passed through it.

A: Farmers must weigh the value of planting seed that is genetically enhanced against their local grain marketing options. If producers have identified a local buyer for their grain, and seed containing a GE trait is the best choice for their farm, they should plant the seed.

Genetically enhanced crops continue to offer farmers significant value through improved insect or weed control. While it is difficult to predict what the market for GE grain will be next year, 82 percent of the grain corn and 65 percent of the soybeans produced in the United States are used domestically.

A: Genetically enhanced crops bring value to a farmer. They help to reduce scouting time, reduce chemical applications and the health risks associated with handling insecticides, improve weed and insect control and, most importantly, can help a farmer realize a crop’s genetic potential.

The introduction of the NGBt1 gene into the corn plant has allowed farmers to effectively control European corn borer and reduce ECB scouting time and insecticide application. By reducing insecticide treatments, insecticide handling and environmental concerns are lessened. Roundup Ready soybeans have helped reduce herbicide costs while improving weed control flexibility.

A: The benefits of genetically enhancing a plant to express a desired trait are endless. Herbicide and insect resistance are just a few of the possibilities; other possible results of genetic enhancement could be disease resistance, improved nutritional profiles, higher yielding crops or crops that could produce pharmaceuticals, oral vaccines or replace petroleum in plastics, Styrofoam, etc.

The ultimate goal of the entire agricultural industry is to improve agricultural production to maintain a food supply that is growing at a rate equal to that of the world population. GE crops are an environmentally friendly tool to help achieve this goal.