COT67B

COT67B is a variety of Bt cotton created by Syngenta. It was initially deregulated in the U.S. in 2011. It is genetically engineered to produce an insecticidal protein in every cell, using a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Bt crops and genetically modified organisms are controversial around the world.

Deregulation
Syngenta petitioned the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to deregulate COT67B. APHIS published a notice in the Federal Register on May 11, 2011, soliciting public comments that were due by July 11, 2011. APHIS conducted an Environmental Assessment EA under the National Environmental Policy Act and concluded a "finding of no significant impact" (FONSI). COT67B was deregulated in the U.S. on September 29, 2011.

APHIS wrote in the Federal Register:
 * "COT67B cotton produces a full-length Cry1Ab protein originally derived from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-1 which has activity against several important lepidopteran pest species of cotton. These include, but are not limited to, Helicoverpa zea (cotton bollworm), Heliothis virescens (tobacco budworm), Pectinophora gossypiella (pink bollworm), and Trichoplusia ni (cabbage looper)."

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Bt Crops
 * Bt Cotton
 * GE Cotton
 * Genetically Modified Organisms
 * Genetic Engineering
 * Syngenta