GE'd Moth

[DR. JAMES ADAMS]

Listers,

Dan passed on the following:
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. 

What????  I would think the whole point would be *to release* the 
GE'ed moths so that they *would* breed with wild populations of 
the moth.  How is anything going to be eradicated if the *wild* 
populations are left unaffected?

	Sounds screwy to me!

	James


Dr. James K. Adams
Dept. of Natural Science and Math
Dalton State College
213 N. College Drive
Dalton, GA  30720
Phone: (706)272-4427; fax: (706)272-2533
U of Michigan's President James Angell's 
  Secret of Success: "Grow antennae, not horns"

 
 ------------------------------------------------------------ 

   For subscription and related information about LEPS-L visit:

   http://www.peabody.yale.edu/other/lepsl