GM pesticide claims false? - new paper
We have only seen this abstract. However, this paper appears to contest the claim that Bt GM maize crops reduce insecticide applications. Comments are also made which question the value of GM rice.
NATURAL LAW PARTY WESSEX
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Title
To improve nutrition for the world's population.
Author
Pimentel, D.; Pimentel, M. Guerinot, M. L.
Correspondent Address
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14953-0901, USA.
Source
Science (Washington) vol. 288 (5473) p.1966-1967
Publication Year
2000
Abstract
Some of the comments made by M. L. Guerinot [Science (Washington) (2000) 287 (5451) 241] regarding the recently reported genetic engineering of rice plants to produce provitamin A (beta-carotene) in their grain and the benefits of genetically engineered crops are contested. In particular, the claim that expression of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) toxin in maize reduces insecticide applications is seen as erroneous on the basis that the toxin only controls European corn borer [Ostrinia nubilalis], a relatively minor pest of maize. Also, although acknowledging the claim that the increased nutritive value of provitamin A-expressing rice will be of benefit to many, the authors see the need to increase cereal grain production per capita as more critical. Comments by M. L. Guerinot in response are appended. 4 ref.
Descriptors
nutritive value; rice; genetic engineering; genetic transformation; provitamins; beta-carotene; endotoxins; maize; insecticides; insect pests; plant pests; pest resistance; carotenes; cereals; biotechnology; agricultural entomology; Oryza sativa; Bacillus thuringiensis; Zea mays; Ostrinia nubilalis; arthropods; Oryza; Oryza; Poaceae; Cyperales; monocotyledons; angiosperms; Spermatophyta; plants; Bacillus; Bacillaceae; Firmicutes; bacteria; prokaryotes; Zea; Ostrinia; Pyralidae; Lepidoptera; insects; arthropods; invertebrates; animals
Codes
Plant Breeding and Genetics (FF020); Biotechnology (WW000); Food Composition and Quality (QQ500); Plant Pests (NEW March 2000) (FF620); Host Resistance and Immunity (HH600); Pesticides and Drugs: Control (NEW March 2000) (HH405)
Risk Category
; GENERAL CONCERNS