EPA endorses Bt as safe, beneficial
Food crops that have been genetically modified to include Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are safe for humans and the environment and they provide significant financial benefits, according to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency draft risk assessment released on Wednesday. EPA's risk assessment, which was conducted in conjunction with a review of the registration of Bt corn and cotton products, concludes that "there are no unreasonable adverse effects from these products" on human health. The document outlines a broad range of tests that support this conclusion, including studies of chronic and subchronic effects on the immune and endocrine systems, mutagenicity and developmental toxicity.
"Gene flow to wild species through out crossing is not a concern for any of the registered Bt plant-pesticides," according to the EPA. The agency noted the public concern about potential adverse impacts of Bt products on monarch butterflies and other non-target species. It stated that based on all of the available information, "the weight of evidence indicates no unreasonable adverse effects of Bt Cry proteins expressed in plants to non-target wildlife, plants or beneficial invertebrates," including monarch butterflies. ...