Wednesday, April 2, 2008

I was reading a book on biotechnology for another class. In a chapter discussing the controversy over genetically modified organisms, it spoke about a study done by a Cornell professor on monarch butterflies that seemed to indicate that genetically modified corn could prove detrimental to the food chain.

"The New York Times ran a picture of a Monarch on its front page and called it 'the Bambi of the insect world'. On National Public Radio, the butterfly was 'the Elvis of insects,' referring to the butterfly's gaudy garb. It was a story that grabbed the public's attention and fixed in many minds an impression of risk and danger linked to genetically engineered crops." (pg 244 in Lords ofthe Harvest: Biotech, Big Money, and the Future of Food)

I found the references to Bambi quite intriguing. While the monarch butterfly is a majestic creature, its cause was aided by linking it to Bambi. It is interesting that Bambi's presence extends throughout the animal world, even to insects.

1 comment:

Kathy Crowley said...

Fascinating! Also interesting as commentary on our need to make insects more "glamorous" in order to see them as an important part of the natural world.