Does Bt in Corn accumulate in predators?

[Paul Cherubini]

Dan Fosha wrote:

> A Swiss study last year showed an indirect effect of Bt corn on the food
> chain: Insects called lacewings died more quickly if they fed on corn borers
> reared on Bt corn.

As with the Cornell study involving monarchs, the authors of this study
apparently  failed to provide any modeling or other assistance that
would help provide the media and public with some perspective on the
level of threat. This leaves everyone worried and dangling on edge.
Later, if the public finds the sensationalized concerns were not
relevant to the real world, it reinforces their cynicism of the
scientific community.
 
> A University of Chicago study published in September found that a weed
> altered by scientists to resist an herbicide developed a far greater ability
> to pollinate other plants and pass on its traits. The findings raised fears
> that genetic engineering could lead to the rise of ``superweeds'' impervious
> to weedkillers.

I think they story editor meant "crop (not weed) altered by scientists".

 I agree these findings would raise public fears of "superweeds" if the
authors failed to propose a model of how real world impacts could occur
using real or hypothetical numbers and disclosing the assumptions that
would have to be made to make the model work.
> 
> In Scotland, a toxicologist who added insect-resistant genes and proteins to
> potatoes and fed them to rats reported that the animals suffered damaged
> immune systems, growth problems and shrunken brains. But his findings were
> sharply disputed by other scientists. "

Ditto what I wrote above. 

An example of another technology (besides Genetically Modified Crops)
that could dramatically reduce pesticide use and pesticide residues in
food is food irradiation. Here in California, virtually the entire
almond, walnut, pistachio, prune, raisin, date and fig crop is treated
(at least once) with deadly fumigant gases like methyl bromide and
phosphine at some point after harvest. Food irradiation technology could
eliminate this pesticide use. But certain anti-technology groups seem to
want the public to think this  technology is akin to nuclear radiation.
So the hold up protest signs saying "just say no to nuked foods"

Paul Cherubini, Placerville, California















> C. Springs CO USA