The European corn borer is a pest whose larvae cause damage to com
crops in the United States. Pesticides can be used to control the larvae. As
an ALTERNATIVE, scientists have developed a genetically engineered form
of corn called the Bt strain. It produces a toxin in its cells called Bt, which is
poisonous to the corn borer larvae. Farmers who plant fields of Bt corn are
required by law to plant fields of non-Bt com nearby as well. *