In this study, we evaluated in field trials the effects on non-target species, of transgenic corn producing the Cry1Ab toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). In 1998, we collected Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) larvae from transgenic Bt corn (Novartis Hybrid 176) and non-Bt corn at four geographical sites. We found a significant variation in parasitism by the tachinids Lydella thompsoni (Herting) a...

A 2-year rat feeding study with genetically modified NK603 maize sparked an international scientific and public debate as well as policy responses by the European Commission. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluated the study as defective based on conceptual and methodological shortcomings by retroactive application of the recommendations of its recent guidance on 90-day feeding stud...

On May 10, 2004, Monsanto Company announced the suspension of its plans to commercialize Roundup Ready (RR) wheat.372 This decision did not come in response to any health or environmental regulatory concern. Regulatory review was underway at APHIS and FDA, with most observers not expecting either agency to object to the product.373 Monsanto’s decision was driven, rather, by a declining wheat ma...

This manuscript presents the results of a review of the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) on milk production, milk composition, dry matter intake, and body condition score that was carried out by an expert panel established by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). The panel was established by the CVMA in response to a request from Health Canada in 1998 and their re...

The purpose of this study was to measure the toxicity of malathion and glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup®, to San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis). The endemic San Diego fairy shrimp has been listed as endangered due to habitat loss and degradation of southern California vernal pools. The risk to fairy shrimp from the potential impact of herbicides and insecticides sp...

Monsanto's "Lasagna" process uses layers of treatment zones spaced between buried electrodes to remove trichloroethylene (TCE) from contaminated soil and groundwater. TCE is used primarily as a metal degreaser as well as in products such as dyes, printing ink, and paint. TCE can eventually make its way into the environment and is prevalent in the water and soil of industrialized nations. Althou...

T the Editor: The letter to the editor sent by representatives of Monsanto, Syngenta, and Dow Chemicals (among others) to Chem. Res. Toxicol. regarding our paper (Paganelli et al., published July 23, 2010) and the tone used in their criticism about other research papers studying glyphosate effects should come as no surprise considering the obvious conflicts of interest inherent in this work whe...

Detection and quantification of transgenes are important in analyzing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is commonly utilized for such purposes. However, qPCR has certain limitations in detecting and quantifying transgenes in GMOs, such as the need of certified reference materials, a standard curve, and possible affection by inhibitors. Therefor...

An estimated seven to ten million people worldwide are living with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson’s disease is characterized by a decreased level of the neurotransmitter and dopamine. Levodopa (L-DOPA) is the drug most often prescribed for Parkinson’s disease. This drug is currently chemically synthesized according to a Monsanto process, but the synthesis of L-DOPA suffers from several disadvan...

A few breeding companies dominate the maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid market in Brazil: Monsanto® (35%), DuPont Pioneer® (30%), Dow Agrosciences® (15%), Syngenta® (10%) and Helix Sementes (4%). Therefore, it is important to monitor the genetic diversity in commercial germplasms as breeding practices, registration and marketing of new cultivars can lead to a significant reduction of the genetic diver...