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Re: Tracy good to see you back




>Thank you for the kind words Tracy
>
>>This isn't the first time you've brought this up Sal, nor is it the first
>>time I've corrected you on this point. "Killer bees" are not the result of
>>genetic engineering experiments escaping from the lab. This repeated
>>dissemination of misinformation is irresponsible.
>>Tracy

>The Killer bee is a good
>example for most folks to see how breeding works and I do not know what
>insects made in the lab will do to the natural insects on earth but don't
>really want to find out.

The vast majority (if not all) of the insects available for biocontrol are
laboratory-reared. Many have also been modified through various genetic
methods. For example, the screw-worm is kept in check in the southern US
through the annual release of millions of sterile adult male flies, produced
via gamma irradiation. This saves millions of dollars worth of livestock
annually. I don't know anyone who thinks this is an unsound practice.

>Men do not know  all there is to know about genes
>except maybe Tracy. I don't know much but that never stop me before from
>starting a chat.  They are releasing lab made plants,viruses,insects etc..
>now in this time of our lives.  Now is a good time to talk about it because
>they are releasing them for the 1st. time and it would be easier to close
>the barn door now before the insects get out.

The first time? Where have you been for the last decade? Recombinant
organisms have been released and studied in the environment for many years
now! Can you cite a single case where something has gone wrong, resulting in
damage to the environment? Ten or twenty years ago, such fears had some
rational grounds, but based on the track-record of these experiments, such
fears appear to be unfounded at this point.

>Look at the Killer bee!

WHY? What has that to do with biocontrol or 'genetically-altered' insects?
Are you using this example because this species was imported from another
continent, escaped, and is perceived to be a pest here? The same can be said
of many escaped exotic species, some of which actually have economic value.
Based on your own example, should you be growing exotic fruit species that
aren't native to California? What if they escape and devastate the ecosystem?
Tracy