Monarch Butterflies in Decline Due to Proliferation of GM Crops

Monarch Butterflies in Decline Due to Proliferation of GM Crops







Alex Pietrowski, Contributor
Activist Post

The monarch butterfly is yet another species that appears to be in rapid
decline due to the rise in herbicide-resistant genetically modified
(GM) crops. These butterflies lay eggs on milkweed plants, and once the
eggs hatch, monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on the weed. Yet, the
overuse of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide
across millions of acres of Roundup Ready crops is believed to be
destroying the milkweed necessary for monarch butterflies to thrive.

Cornell University was the first to raise attention to the harm that GM
crops may have on these vivacious creatures, claiming that toxic pollen
from GM corn would drift onto milkweed, poisoning monarch caterpillars
and butterflies. Cornell’s research
was criticized, and the United States National Academy of Sciences
claimed that GM corn posed no risk to populations of monarch
butterflies, as the amount of pollen that travels from GM corn onto
milkweed was not sufficient to harm the caterpillars.

Yet, the species has been declining steadily since 1999. Why?

Now, researchers at University of Minnesota and Iowa State University once again reveal studies with the same conclusion: monarch butterfly populations are declining due to the proliferation of GM crops.
Although the conclusion is the same, the underlying reason is
different. The heavy use of herbicides on herbicide-resistant crops is
changing the ecological landscape of farm lands. The milkweed plant is
beginning to disappear, and with it, so is the monarch butterfly.


"The researchers estimate that the amount of milkweed in in the Midwest
plunged by 58 percent from 1999 to 2010, pressured mainly by the
expansion of Roundup Ready genetically engineered crops. Over the same
period, monarch egg production in the regions sank by 81 percent."
(Source: Mother Jones )

“Another study published in the journal Crop Protection and
conducted by Robert G Hartzler, an agronomist at Iowa State, found that
milkweed on farms in Iowa declined 90 percent from 1999 to 2009.
Additionally, his study found milkweed only on 8 percent of corn and
soybean fields surveyed in 2009, which is 51 percent lower than in
1999.” Source: Global Research

What are we willing to sacrifice for GM crops?

Worldwide, pollinator bees are disappearing,
and researchers are now blaming colony collapse disorder on the global
overuse of pesticides. Now we are looking at exterminating the iconic
and beautiful Monarch.

Perhaps
to some, the decline and potential future loss of an insect species is
insignificant, and some might argue that trying to solve the problem of
world hunger certainly comes with costs. Yet, the issue here is much
bigger. We are discovering new fortuitous consequences that come with
the use of GM crops. Although most may be unintentional, these
consequences are destroying the biodiversity of our planet, and other potential solutions to world hunger and food shortages are being overlooked and even derailed in the rush to create boutique crops dependent on chemical companies.

The final question then arises. At which point will the human species
start to feel a more direct impact of genetic modification on crops and
our habitats, our ability to grow nutritious foods, and our ability to
nurture our bodies?

Source:-
http://www.activistpost.com/2013/01/monarch-butterflies-in-decline-due-to.html