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European Union environmental officials have determined that two kinds ofgenetically modified corn could harm butterflies, affect food chains anddisturb life in rivers and streams, and they have proposed a ban on the sale ofthe seeds, which are made by DuPont Pioneer, Dow Agrosciences and Syngenta. Thepreliminary decisions are circulating within the European Commission, which hasthe final say. Some officials there are skeptical of a ban that would upset thepowerful biotechnology industry and could exacerbate tensions with importanttrading partners like the United States. The seeds are not available on theEuropean market for cultivation. In thedecisions, the environment commissioner, Stavros Dimas, contends that thegenetically modified corn, or maize could affect certain butterfly species,specifically the monarch, and other beneficial insects. For instance, researchthis year indicates that larvae of the monarch butterfly exposed to thegenetically modified corn behave differently than other larvae. In the decision concerning thecorn seeds produced by Dow and Pioneer, Mr. Dimas calls potential damage on theenvironment irreversible. In the decision on Syngentas corn, he says that the level of risk generated by thecultivation of this product for the environment is unacceptable. A decision bythe European Union to bar cultivation of the genetically modified crops wouldbe the first of its kind in the trade bloc, and would intensify the continuingbattle over genetically modified corn. Banning the applications for corn cropsalso would mark a bold new step for European environmental authorities, who arealready aggressively pursuing regulations on emissions from cars and aircraft,setting it at odds with the United States and angering industries. | 
