Insecticide from Genetically Modified Crops Contaminates Streams

The bad news about Monsanto continues to rain down like a bad storm. The genetically modified (GM) ag giant's Bt seeds produce their own pesticide, which in theory means that farmers who use the seeds don't have to spray pesticides on their crops. But a recent study of waterways in Indiana found some alarming side effects to the use of Bt. Researchers found the presence of the Bt insecticide in almost one-quarter of the streams tested — and every single waterway that tested positive for insecticides was within 1,500 feet of a cornfield.

Grist points out that part of the problem of runoff from crops has to do with the way the land is farmed. Industrial practices utilize a "no-till" technique that supposedly prevents soil erosion. But that means that everything present on the fields — which aren't plowed after harvest — is washed into large irrigation canals, which then makes its way into nearby rivers and streams. The Bt insecticide leaches out of crops leftover on fields and washes into streams or seeps into groundwater. No one really knows for sure how this poison may impact aquatic species and ecosystems, but if the chemical is toxic to bugs, I'm guessing it can't be good for fish, plants, frogs, and other species, either.

The aforementioned study was conducted a full six months after harvest, which means it's likely that the Bt insecticide is present in larger quantities just after the land is harvested. It also means that the chemical may have traveled further downstream or leached into groundwater or soil within the waterways.

There is absolutely no doubt that Monsanto will spin the findings of this study as nothing to worry about. But beware of claims that the insecticide is totally harmless. In fact, we have no idea what the long-term effects of this stuff in the waterways could be — as we're seeing right now with the company's genetically engineered (GE) sugar beets, it's common practice for Monsanto to strong-arm its products through with few studies on how they impact the environment. Monsanto's Bt seeds are no exception. For now, we'll just have to wait and see how fish and wildlife are affected by a product that's already known to be toxic to bugs — not to be a Debbie Downer on a Friday, but my guess it that the outcome won't be good.

For too long, Monsanto's been allowed to sow its GM seeds without first studying how these plants may affect the environment. Sign our petition reminding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that it has an obligation to mandate environmental impact assessments before approving the planting of GM seeds.

Photo credit: MSVG via Flickr