Genetically modified corn has been growing in Iowa, but more types could be seen in the future since biotechnology companies lifted a self-imposed ban on growing transgenetic corn in the Midwest.

The ban was lifted last month and a new policy on growing transgenetic corn for pharmaceuticals and industrial uses was released last week.

“[Iowa has] always been growing genetically modified corn to prevent roundworm,” said Bruce Babcock, professor of agricultural economics.

Mike Duffy, professor of agricultural economics, said transgenetic technology allows certain traits to be placed in the crops.

An example would be Roundup Ready soybeans, that have been genetically modified so when Roundup is sprayed on the field, the soybeans won’t be killed, he said.

In transgenetic crops, any one of the thousands of genes will be altered to produce a product the crop would not normally produce, said Steve Howell, director of the ISU Plant Sciences Institute. Genetically altered corn is highly valuable, he said. He cited Fort Dodge as an example of the benefits of this type of crop. There, corn is growing that produces gastric lipase, Howell said. It is a protein that all humans produce, which digests fats. People who suffer from cystic fibrosis have a problem digesting fats.

Developing gastric lipase in corn would help those people. That high value could create large economic potential, Howell said.

He said the main priority right now is “to insure the safety of the food supply and the quality of agricultural resources that are in the state.”

Transgenetic crops are still in the early stages, Babcock said.

Duffy said biotechnology companies recommended the ban be placed because of the risk of contamination with corn used for the food industry because of cross-pollination.

Cross-pollination occurs when one corn plant pollinates another, he said.

It’s hard to say exactly what will happen if the food supply gets contaminated by transgenetic crops, Howell said.

“It has to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis,” he said.

It depends on how the group of genes is altered and the genes’ “bio-activity,” Howell said. He said if it produces a low bio activity and is consumed in a small amount, there shouldn’t be any harm to humans.

Transgenetic crops are “working largely with items that will be helpful in humans,” Howell said.

All gene alteration in crops is governed and regulated so that the food supply will not be contaminated, Howell said. The Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency are regulating transgenetic crops, he said.

Howell said right now the USDA, FDA and EPA remain”conservative on what they will prove at this point.”