Sunday, February 20, 2011
Baccillus Thuringiensis
While watching a video entitled Food for Thought (available at Ablah Library), I first heard about the Baccillus Thuringiensis soil-dwelling bacterium which as well is found naturally in the guts of some moth and butterfly caterpillars as well as on the dark surface of some plants. Spores and crystalline insecticidal proteins (activated in the digestive tract by the insect who consumes it - to adverse and death of the pest insect) derived of the bacteria have been used to control pests since the 1920s. Now they are used as specific insecticides Dipel and Thuricide. This Bt bacterium pest control is thought to be (somewhat) environmentally friendly because it generally only kills pests and has (until recently, and without consenses) not been shown to cause damage to humans, wildlife and other, beneficial insects. To some degree even organic farmers have used Bt or Bt derived pesticide because of their being thought of as environmentally friendly. However, since the mid 1990s the Bt generated crystalline toxin has been engineered with actual crops like potatoes, corn and cotton (approved in the US by the EPA). These crops being grown throughout the world were the first pesticide producing engieneered crops - their DNA makeup contains the toxin in every comprising cell. For the first ten or so years ererything has seemed fine and good with these new plant creations raising the yield and keeping away pests - while reducing the environmental impacts of using other pesticides. Recently, however resistant pest-insects have prevailed in some of the places growing these crops and as well deathly effects have been shown to occur for insects closely related to the target pests. Moreover, some studies suggest that rats can develop liver problems from ingesting Bt and mice can have lowered fertility. It has been generally thought that Bt does not affect vertibrates or creatures that do not have certain receptors in the epithelial cells of their gut. Controversy has ensued however due to a Nature article that supposed this Engineered corn had introgressed into the origins of corns grown in Mexico. The article was retractred but other possible negative consequences such as killing monarch butterflies and contributing to the Colony Collapse Disorder of American bee hives
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I know in class that I stated that Harold McGee, in his book The Curious Cook seems to imply that chemical tinkering and efforts to foods has been a natural development of mankind. He seems to me, of course to be emphaticly demanding of the most wholesome of ingredients however and probably sees examples like this with Bt to have been too untested and unresearched to be gauranteed of wholly positive outcomes - though he may not expect the companies to have conducted full experiments - if even possible. Regardless, this and other chemical tinkerings have been linked to problems and though have become of natural processees of human modern techniques and chemistry - are these developments of the nature? Are the (semi-) new self-pesticide-producing cottons and potatoes natural crops and organisms? I feel the answer to this question is somewhat blurry. Even more debateable is the seeking of an answer to this question - is chemical tinkering to foodstuffs and other crops in regards to genetic makeup (or the use of unnaturally occuring chemical pesticides - I do not have research on this) a feasible use and promotion of sustainable agriculture, or can it be? Economically, chemical progress has been beneficial, but in the long run even that well seems to run dry or pour taintedly, but can we accept this line of work if we are to be active in propogating healthy foods for all (as well as ourselves) as well as a healthy environment for farmers and future generations. 'Voting' by way of purchase power makes a difference and sends a message, though the 'ballot boxes' are not clearly defined and canditates are not legitamately represented unless a person does research. I feel obligated as well as enticed to support myself with the healthiest, environmentally wealthiest and economically fair products, but for now I must wait...I type as my increased energy still remains from the mocha I bought before my West Side class (with a test) from major American chain coffeehouse - not a practitioner of 'free-trade' coffee. A good product, but bought because I did not have the time to produce my own coffee or the knowledge of any other nearby independant or fair-trade or equally just cafe from which to buy such study supplement. It is nearly impossible for people or the average student to go all organic, especially with other coexisting food culture movements like buying locally - especially in the Midwest, so I smile and tell others to not be to tough on themselves or others of their eating habits, that you know about others eating preferences and habits is a wonderful thing - it is indicative of an enriched and shared culture, so I say, eat drink and be merry and eventually many food issues should resolve themselves (in a perfect world, that is) if we as well eat and live healthily and active lifestyles.
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