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closeGMOs
Posted by TrojanHorace on 25 Jul 2013 at 23:20 GMT
I'd be interested now to find out whether Bees that fed on GM crops were significantly more effected than those on non-GM - and whether there is a way to differentiate whether the pesticides themselves are responsible for weakening the immune system or the crops themselves?
RE: GMOs
cj_wijtmans replied to TrojanHorace on 26 Jul 2013 at 14:19 GMT
Some GM-crops ARE pesticides.
One of them is BT-crops.
They produce BT-toxins that rupture insects stomach.
There is a study that proves BT-crops can kill ladybugs, i don't see how they cant kill honeybees either.
Also greenpeace did a study and found that BT-toxin levels are very unstable in the plants.
What science articles mostly ignore about GM-crops are rogue proteins.
RE: RE: GMOs
cj_wijtmans replied to cj_wijtmans on 26 Jul 2013 at 14:26 GMT
Also note that organic farmers spray BT on their crops. I am sure that would kill ladybugs and possible honeybees as well.
RE: RE: GMOs
cj_wijtmans replied to cj_wijtmans on 27 Jul 2013 at 21:01 GMT
Though BT toxins activate at a certain PH i believe, i dont know if bees have that pathway for BT to react and rupture its stomach.
RE: RE: GMOs
cj_wijtmans replied to cj_wijtmans on 27 Jul 2013 at 21:03 GMT
A controversy re-visited: Is the coccinellid Adalia bipunctata adversely affected by Bt toxins?
Angelika Hilbeck1*, Joanna M McMillan1, Matthias Meier2, Anna Humbel1, Juanita Schläpfer-Miller1 and Miluse Trtikova1
http://www.enveurope.com/...
RE: GMOs
TemeculaMike replied to TrojanHorace on 08 Aug 2013 at 18:30 GMT
As noted by another response, GMO crops have been modified to include "Bt" genes (aka Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Bt is a naturally occurring a spore forming bacterium that produces crystals protein (cry proteins), which are toxic to many species of insects. (see, http://www.bt.ucsd.edu/ for additional information). Bt has been used by organic farmers as a way of controlling insects. The Bt genes have also been incorporated into various GMO crops.
A review of Table 2 and the text of the study appears to show that no Bt was found. Assuming the presence of Bt was tested, it would be reasonable to conclude the GMO crops containing Bt are not problematic. That said, the study is silent on the issue of whether GMO crops containing Bt were present in the study fields. However, other studies conducted by scientists without agenda have indicated that Bt contained within GMO crops and used by organic farmers appears to have no effect on honeybees.
While GMO crops tend to use less pesticides (because they are pest resistant), other GMO crops (aka roundup ready) may promote the increase use of "herbicides." The study found herbicides in 23.6% of samples (pesticides in 100% of samples). Also note, "Within a sample, pollen fungicide loads were significantly higher than loads of herbicides or any of the insecticide categories."
To my knowledge and research, GMO crops and technologies have ignored fungal concerns and do not target fungal infections. Thus, fungicide manufacturers are doing well (see, http://www.farmchemicalsi... for a 2008 industry report)
All of that said, I draw the following conclusions from the article: (1) fungicides are a major problem for Bees that has been overlooked by most studies; (2) GMO crops are not the problem for Bees and because GMO crops tend to promote the use of LESS pesticides, may actually offer a solution; and (3) if I was (I'm not) a producer of GMO seeds, I'm going to start looking at incorporating some fungal retardant genes in my offering.
RE: RE: GMOs
TemeculaMike replied to TemeculaMike on 08 Aug 2013 at 18:43 GMT
... and there is a recent study on PLOS regarding cry proteins (i.e. Bt) affect on honey bees, finding no issue:
Effect of Stacked Insecticidal Cry Proteins from Maize Pollen on Nurse Bees (Apis mellifera carnica) and Their Gut Bacteria (http://www.plosone.org/ar...). Note: "The natural occurrence of Cry proteins and the lack of detectable effects on nurse bees and their gut bacteria give no indication for harmful effects of this Bt maize on nurse honey bees."