From: altamira (altamira@ecpi.com)
Date: Tue Aug 01 2000 - 23:18:25 MDT
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-extropians@extropy.org
> [mailto:owner-extropians@extropy.org]On Behalf Of Michael S. Lorrey
>
> Ah, I was under the impression that the mite transmitted the fungus, but
> I may be mistaken.
>
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/entfacts/misc/ef012.htm
The tracheal mite, Acarapis woodi, is a serious and growing problem for
Kentucky beekeepers. The microscopic internal mite clogs the breathing tubes
of adult bees, blocking oxygen flow and eventually killing them. Also called
acarine disease, it affects the flight efficiency and causes a large number
of crawling bees outside the hive that are unable to fly. The inability to
fly can contribute to losses of field bees and reduction of food stores in
the colony. Another symptom is the abnormal "disjointed" position of the
wings of walking bees.
, I think the insertion of the Bt gene into
> > grain crops is a bad idea.
>
> But is there any evidence to show that its a bad idea? Info I've seen
> says its ok, whenever researchers actually get any plants to grow
> without them being sabotaged by greens.
The evidence I've seen indicates that the plants grow and produce seed.
That's about all I can say. I believe yields are slightly lower than yields
of crops without the gene (if such crops are treated with insecticides), but
I can't remember where I saw this. I don't know whether the food value of
the GM grains has been tested, but I do know that small changes in molecules
of foods can cause large changes in the way the food is metabolized.
If you have links to published research about yields, relative amounts of
pesticides required, and metabolism of GM grains, I'd be grateful if you
could share them.
Bonnie
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