Development and commercial use of Bollgard (R) cotton in the USA - early promises versus today's reality

Bollgard(R) cotton is the trademark given to a number of varieties of cotto n bio-engineered to produce an insecticidal protein from Bacillus thuringie nsis (Bt). When produced by the modified cotton plants, this protein contro ls certain lepidopterous cotton insect pests. Commercially available since 1996, these cotton varieties are purchased under a license agreement in whi ch the growers pay a fee and agree to abide by the terms, which include a 1 -year license to use the technology and agreement to participate in an inse ct resistance management program. Today, Bollgard cotton is grown on more t han one-third of all cotton acreage in the LISA. This product has reduced c otton production costs and insecticide use by providing an effective altern ative to chemical insecticides for the control of tobacco budworm, Heliothi s virescens; cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa zea; and pink bollworm, Pectinoph ora gossypiella. The specificity and safety profile of the Bt protein produ ced in planta in cotton was maintained. It has retained its selectivity for lepidopterous insects and lacks the characteristics found in potential all ergenic proteins. Fiber quality, the agronomic characteristics of the plant and seed composition remain unchanged. New cotton technology is being deve loped to provide improved insect control and a wider spectrum of activity. These future products could further reduce insecticide use in the productio n of cotton, while maintaining the high level of safety and reliability tha t has been demonstrated by five seasons of Bollgard(R) cotton use.