GE'd Moth

[Cris Guppy or Aud Fischer]

I know Ron is just being sarcastic, however the pink bollworm moth is an introduced species in North America, and therefore does not warrant protection on this continent. However, I cannot say I feel very comfortable with the method chosen to extirpate it.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ron Gatrelle 
  To: Ron Gatrelle ; Leps-l 
  Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2001 1:46 PM
  Subject: Re: GE'd Moth


  Don't be quick to treat this so lightly, Ron. How many biological control agents have blown up in our face -Kudzu for erosion control. Will we have a world 12,000 years from now with no leps due to the unforeseen chain reaction of genetic material and EVOLUTION. No one knows where genetic manipulation will end up because EVOLUTION is totally unpredictable and un controllable.
   Ron

  PS  It's a pretty slow leps-l day when you have to respond to your own posts - right Eric.
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Ron Gatrelle 
    To: Leps-l 
    Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2001 2:59 PM
    Subject: Re: GE'd Moth


    Of course, once it gets down to three restricted populations it will become CITES listed and anyone who kills it will then go to jail. I guess this kind of man made endangerment/extinction is OK - government induced. Perhaps the Dep. of Int. and D. of Agra. will have an intergovernmental fight over this. 

    Ron
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Danfosha at aol.com 
      To: leps-l at lists.yale.edu 
      Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2001 12:18 PM
      Subject: GE'd Moth


      Greetings, 

            I saw this and thought folks on the list would find it interesting. 
      I'm not a scientist, and so I am interested in commentary. 

      Thanks, 
      Dan Fosha 
      C. Springs, CO 

      *** 



      from DAILY GRIST Feb. 9, 2001 
      Environmental news from GRIST MAGAZINE 
      <http://www.gristmagazine.com> 

      THERE'S A RAGE IN THE CAGE 
      Plans are underway in the U.S. to test the first genetically 
      engineered insect in the wild.  Researchers are trying to manipulate 
      the genes of the pink bollworm moth -- an insect known for destroying 
      cotton crops around the world -- so that it eventually eradicates 
      itself.  U.S. regulators are expected to give the green light to 
      field tests this summer in Arizona.  Enviros will probably protest 
      the experiment, but the researchers say they will take precautions to 
      keep the moths in cages to prevent them from escaping and breeding 
      with wild populations. 

      straight to the source:  BBC News, Helen Briggs, 09 Feb 2001 
      <http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1150000/1150796.stm> 

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