While Bt Cotton crops have a certain degree of effectiveness against some of the most menacing pests the effect on non targeted organisms can in some cases be catastrophic. While insecticides and pesticides can be artificially composed to target a specific pest and effect no other plants The Bacillus Thuringienisis Bacterium used in Bt cotton is naturally occurring therefore scientists cannot artificially control the target oranisms.
The most notable case of BT Cotton effecting a non Target organism is in the case of the Monarch Butterfly. It was led to believe that pollen from Bt Cotton maize was killing the Monarch Butterfly, a species that posed no threat to crop yields. this is but one of the many cases of Bt cotton potentially harming Non targeted organisms. Plant Physiology/Peter V. Minorsky (2001) The Monarch Butterfly Controversy (Online) (Updated 2001) Available at: http://www.plantphysiol.org/content/127/3/709.full (Accessed at 3 May 2013)
The most notable case of BT Cotton effecting a non Target organism is in the case of the Monarch Butterfly. It was led to believe that pollen from Bt Cotton maize was killing the Monarch Butterfly, a species that posed no threat to crop yields. this is but one of the many cases of Bt cotton potentially harming Non targeted organisms. Plant Physiology/Peter V. Minorsky (2001) The Monarch Butterfly Controversy (Online) (Updated 2001) Available at: http://www.plantphysiol.org/content/127/3/709.full (Accessed at 3 May 2013)