>
> >Subject: GM crop use makes minor pests major problem
>

Thanks for this, Bob!  I feel that this study makes clear two of the most
important points about GM crops--one pro and one con:

Pro: "Mirids are not susceptible to the Bt toxin, so they started to thrive
when farmers used less pesticide,"

The point here is that Bt toxins can be developed that are specific for
certain orders of insects.  So just as the mirids are thriving,
properly-developed Bt crops can allow bees to thrive.

Con: "The finding reminds us yet again that genetic modified crops are not a
magic bullet for pest control,"

GM crops incorporating pesticides or herbicide tolerance are clearly
short-term, stopgap silver bullets.  The patented crop cannot evolve, but
the insects and weeds do, which will after a number of years result in pest
resistance to the toxins, or to the herbicides.  Such crops such as Roundup
Ready or Bt will only have long-term utility if they are used either in
rotation, or in a limited amount.

Randy Oliver

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Access BEE-L directly at:
http://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=BEE-L