StarLink Protein Discovered in Another Variety of Corn

The pest-repelling protein found in StarLink genetically engineered corn has been discovered in another variety of corn not sold under the StarLink name, its developer said Tuesday. The discovery suggests that the genetically modified corn, which is not approved for human consumption, may have spread farther than agriculture officials initially thought.

Tests conducted by Aventis CropScience of Research Triangle Park, N.C., the developer of the pest-resistant corn, show that Cry9C protein, a natural insecticide suspected of being an allergen to humans, was found in samples of hybrid corn seed produced by Slate, Iowa-based Garst Seed Co. in 1998. Garst confirmed the findings and said the protein has not yet been found in samples taken of 1999 and 2000 seeds.

“Initial tests for the presence of Cry9C protein have been positive for limited quantities of this one hybrid, but we do not know how it got there,” said David Witherspoon, president of Garst.

Aventis also said it was unaware of how the corn was contaminated. Garst also produces seeds using the StarLink technology licensed from Aventis, as well as its own hybrid varieties.

Aventis has notified the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture of its findings, and Garst has set up a hotline for growers or consumers with questions.

Aventis and Garst officials said they tested several varieties of seeds after farmers said some of the conventional corn they were growing was testing positive for the Cry9C protein, Aventis officials said.

“Here’s some real concrete evidence that we can’t keep the genie in the bottle when it comes to genetically engineered crops,” said Mark Helm of Friends of the Earth, the group that first discovered the animal feed corn in taco shells and other human food products. The group’s discovery led to a nationwide recall of several brands of taco shells.

Friends of the Earth, Consumers Union and other groups are pressing the EPA to delay the re-registration of all genetically modified corn crops until more testing is done.

Meanwhile, the EPA is supposed to decide by Dec. 1 whether the StarLink corn poses an allergenic risk and whether to grant it temporary approval for human use.

Sixteen attorneys general are pressing Aventis to compensate farmers and grain elevators who may have incurred losses related to StarLink corn.

An Aventis spokeswoman would only say the company is “working on a case-by-case basis with grain handlers and elevators.”