CEO Name

Company

Address

Dear (CEO Name):

You may be alarmed to know that your company's products may contain corn that is deadly to one of America’s favorite animals - the Monarch butterfly.

Earlier this year, a startling study conducted by scientists at Cornell University and published in the journal Nature found that corn genetically engineered to contain the Bacillus Thuringiensis (B.t.) toxin may be killing the Monarch butterfly. The deadly impact of B.t. corn has been confirmed by an ongoing field study conducted by researchers at Iowa State University. The findings are alarming, considering that one third of this year’s corn crop is genetically engineered. In addition to threatening the Monarch butterfly, B.t. crops have been shown to be deadly to other beneficial insects including the ladybug and the lacewing.

The Monarch butterfly is a creature beloved by children everywhere. It is studied in the classroom, featured in children’s stories and found in the backyards of families across the country. The Monarch is such a fixture in the American experience that when the threat to the butterfly was first reported, over 95 newspapers covered the story nationwide.

The findings of the Cornell study require prompt action on behalf of companies that use corn or corn derivatives in their products. In light of the danger that genetically engineered corn poses to the Monarch and to other beneficial insects, I am asking food companies including name of company, to refrain from using B.t. corn or its derivatives, such as corn syrup and corn flour, in any of their products.

Commercial grain wholesalers like Archer Daniels Midland and Cargill have declared their commitment to segregate genetically engineered (GE) grain from non-engineered grain for the purposes of export. Their willingness to separate GE grain should make the task of avoiding the use of B.t. ingredients in products easier for companies.

I hope you will be a company that chooses to go GE-free for the sake of your customers and for the environment. I would also like a reply back stating the feelings you have on this issue.