RNAi Corn

In another application of genetic engineering, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently approved a new variety of corn that is genetically modified to kill western corn rootworm – the “billion dollar pest” that wreaks havoc on corn crops and has demonstrated an uncanny ability to develop pesticide resistance. Known as SmartStax Pro, the new seed utilizes RNA interference (RNAi) to kill rootworm by shutting down a gene inside any larvae that try to eat it.

So what makes SmartStax Pro so special? RNAi is a natural biological process that inhibits the expression of specific genes and has been widely used in agriculture to engineer things like apples that don’t turn brown or pesticides that target only specific organisms. However, in this latest development, the pesticide has been engineered directly into the plant to silence a gene in another living organism.

SmartStax Pro is not due to be released commercially for a few years. Although the EPA has approved it in the U.S., other countries have not yet given the green light to import the crop. Some scientists also remain skeptical of releasing yet another “magic bullet” for pesticide resistance, as it can discourage farmers from utilizing simpler and safer methods of pest control such as crop rotation.