From: CurtAdams@aol.com
Date: Wed Aug 28 2002 - 21:44:25 MDT
In a message dated 8/28/02 12:57:48, talon57@well.com writes:
>It seems likely that insects huge gene pool, quick evolution, and
>very short reproductive cycles will "out develop" biotech
>designers, at least as far as toxins are concerned.
Rapid resistance to even the most potent new toxins is indeed
the rule in insect pests. Some cute "reserve" strategies will
slow it (if they're actually followed, which is questioned) but
certainly won't avert it.
In the bio field there's some frustration with the methods biotech
*isn't* using to avert resistance. Bacillus thurigensis has been
around for a while, but resistance to it is rare. Why? It has
multiple toxins (9, I think). Resistance to one is of little value. Similar
multitoxin strategies underly current AIDS treatment strategies.
You could stuff 3 or more BT toxins into corn, but it would be pricier
in the short term. Long term, maybe not, since the pesticide would
work longer. There's an excellent argument here for current biotech
violating a commons, the general lack of resistance to BT toxins
in insects. Monsanto's release of BT corn will in the long term
impair other's abilities to use BT against insect pests and I don't
think Monsanto's earned the property rights to that.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Sat Nov 02 2002 - 09:16:29 MST