Effect of diet containing genetically modified maize on Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

The widespread use of genetically modified (GM) crops has raised concerns about their potential effects on non-target organisms. Drosophila melanogaster, commonly called fruit fly, serves as an ideal model for assessing toxicological impacts due to its short life cycle and sensitivity to environmental changes. This study was designed to investigate the effect of GM maize on the reproductive capacity and developmental outcomes of D. melanogaster, focusing on fecundity, pupation rate, and adult emergence. Flies were reared under controlled laboratory conditions and divided into four groups: a control group fed with non-GM maize and four experimental groups fed with diets containing 0.5g, 1g, 2.5g and 5g of GM maize, respectively. Observations were made on the number of eggs laid, the progression of larvae to pupae, and the emergence of adult flies. Results show significant decline in all measured parameters with increasing concentrations of GM maize. The control group had the highest adult emergence rate of 34.1%, while the 5g GM maize group showed a reduced emergence rate of 24.3%. Fecundity and pupation rates also declined progressively with higher GM maize exposure. These findings suggest that high intake of GM maize may adversely affect the reproductive success and development of fruit flies. The results raise important questions about the long-term effects of GM crops on insect populations and highlight the need for further ecological and toxicological studies.