Insect Experts issue "Urgent" Warning on using GM seeds

[Tumbulu]

60. yes, I in fact identified toxins

from hundreds of B.t. strains that did produce additional toxins that were undesirable. These then were inserted into a Psuedomonas sp and they were cultured and then this product was used. It was a non crystal B.t. toxin and it lasted in the greenhouse 14 days. I ran the trials myself. It was the first genetic engineering of B.t. And guess what? The idea was that these engineered organisms had to be killed before release into the environment- in fact the whole greenhouse was a sealed structure so as to prevent any contamination. No one thought that genetically engineered organisms of any kind would be allowed to be released into the environment without extensive testing. At least not in the mid 80's. These B.t toxins were superior in activity to the ones produced by the B.t. strains used by industry.

This is what the genetic engineers promised to do- use gene sequences that coded for toxins different from the ones commercially produced (so that when the resistance happened, the entire original B.t. industry would not be jeopardized along with all the farmers who use the regular bacterially produced B.t.) AND they promised to TEST their products.

And so when both of the promises were broken, what is left?

The industry destroyed its credibility. There needs to be transparent testing for safety of all of these products of genetic manipulation.

I am not against manipulating B.t. toxins, but I am against destroying the commons for private gain. I am against putting any life at risk because safety testing has not been preformed. And I am thoroughly disgusted by people claiming that something is "safe" and "the same as" without testing it.