GE'd Moth

[Anne Kilmer]

"DR. JAMES ADAMS" wrote:
> 
> 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

Well, see, they're still in the experiment stage. They won't let them
out until they're sure the sex-crazed little devils don't rush around
impregnating Swallowtails in their mad dash to disaster. 
See, how it works (I can only refer you to the GE corn), they let them
loose by accident, and then it's too late, so we just have to change all
the rules. 
Why abandon a great strategy just because we're aware of it, after all. 
With the smooth assertiveness which enabled them to choose soy for the
first universal release (take that, you health nuts!) they've picked a
bug that nobody loves, which eats a plant that everybody loves.  
And they plan to be very careful. 
Or, of course, not. But by then it will be too late. 
Anne Kilmer
South Florida

 
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