One of the many biotechnology tools used in agriculture to improve crop yields and nutritional quality is double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA).  For example, dsRNA is used in SmartStax® PRO corn to control western corn rootworm damage which can be economically devastating. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), such as SmartStax® PRO corn, require environmental assessments to confirm that they are safe for the environment.

In this case, studies were conducted to see if SmartStax® PRO corn could be harmful to different wildlife including insects, fish, birds, mammals, and even microbes. These data support a conclusion that this GMO crop is safe for the tested beneficial or other non-target species. The full journal articles can be accessed here: bit.ly/2h6Yzjm and  bit.ly/2fXY2l6

Author and Monsanto Fellow Pamela Bachman, PhD - Environmental Strategic Engagement Lead: “As an environmentalist, it’s important for me to know that the products like SmartStax®PRO have been thoroughly and scientifically evaluated and shown to not harm the environment."

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Author and Monsanto Fellow Pamela Bachman, PhD - Environmental Strategic Engagement Lead:  “As an environmentalist, it’s important for me to know that the products like SmartStax®PRO have been thoroughly and scientifically evaluated and shown to not harm the environment."

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Pamela M. Bachman, Kristin M. Huizinga, Peter D. Jensen, Geoffrey Mueller, Jianguo Tan, Joshua P. Uffman, Steven L. Levine. 2016. Ecological risk assessment for DvSnf7 RNA: A plant-incorporated protectant with targeted activity against western corn rootworm. Regultory Toxicology & Pharmacology. 81(77-88).
Pamela M. Bachman, Renata Bolognesi, William J. Moar, Geoffrey M. Mueller, Mark S. Paradise, Parthasarathy Ramaseshadri, Jianguo Tan, Joshua P. Uffman, JoAnne Warren, B. Elizabeth Wiggins, Steven L. Levine. 2013. Characterization of the spectrum of insecticidal activity of a double-stranded RNA with targeted activity against Western Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte). Transgenic Research. 22(1207–1222).
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