Why does Bt maize have less fumonisin than non-GM maize

Bacillus thuringiensisis the source of the genes needed to genetically alter a variety of food crops to generate the toxin on their own to discourage various insect pests. Bt maize is one of the famous examples of genetically modified plants.

Fumonisin comes from Fusarium verticillioides, a fungus that regularly contaminates corn and corn-based products. It is most frequently recognized in veterinary medicine as a cause of swine pulmonary edema and horse leukoencephalomalacia.

GMOs have been genetically engineered for a specific purpose. The goal may be beneficial or harmful. GMO crops have much greater yields and frequently contain micronutrients not seen in natural plants.

A fungus (Fusarium) that infects insect-damaged maize produces fumonisin. Bt maize is comparatively less susceptible to insect damage than that of non-GM maize and thus it has a lower level of fumonisin.