I was alarmed when I recently learned that Maine has approved the planting of genetically modified corn. This specific corn plant, called Bt corn, is genetically engineered to produce a pesticide in every single cell of the plant.

What troubles me most is that corn pollen can travel for miles on the wind to reproduce. This poses risks to all corn growers, as Bt corn is a variety of corn owned and patented by Monsanto, one of the world’s most powerful agriculture corporations.

So far, 90 American farmers across the country have been sued by Monsanto after their fields were unknowingly contaminated by blown-in pollen. In all of these lawsuits, because of the way patent law has been applied, farmers are technically liable.

The Center for Food Safety notes in a report that Monsanto sets aside an annual budget of $10 million and a staff of 75 devoted solely to investigating and prosecuting farmers. I believe Monsanto would like nothing more than to be the only source for staple crop seeds in this country and around the world, and has proven this by aggressively destroying centuries-old farming practices to achieve this goal.

No wonder Monsanto was among those who applied for this approval of Bt corn in Maine.

Katie Boverman, Greene

Editor’s Note: A public hearing on genetically modified corn will be held before the Maine Board of Pesticides Control at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 16, at the Hampton Inn on Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville.