Figure 37.
A gene (Bt) from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis can be inserted into a crop such as corn. When a pest such as the European corn borer begins feeding on this plant, it ingests the protein that is encoded by the Bt gene and translated in the corn plant. This protein forms crystals that penetrate the cells lining the insect's gut and the insect subsequently dies. Generally, uncontrolled pests may cause direct loss by eating leaf tissue, vascular tissue, and grain. Indirect damage may result from increasing the risk of stalk rots, ear rots, mycotoxins contamination of the grain, stalk breakage, and ear-drop.