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Introduction:

The scorpion venom has been modified so that it is harmless to humans upon consumption. (Stevenson)

The only human testing was performed was tested on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. They are human, but the results do not express how the toxin will react in a living healthy biological system (Stevenson).

WHAT?

  • Prepare your selves for Genetically Engineered Venomous Cabbage!
  • A Scorpion Venom Virus is within each cell of this man made creation
  • This "safe" method of preserving the cabbage crop is a big risk to
  • Conserving natural Cabbage populations
  • Environmental and Ecosystem safety
  • Human Safety

Does it even work?

The when testing AAiT's effectiveness the scientists estimated that direct application of the toxin is 2 times as powerful as it would have been if it was ingested. However, they did not test how effective he method is in the form it will be used in. Their prediction suggests that the scorpion toxin will not be that effective . There is a good chance that sprays will still be used (Stevenson).

Alternatives

  • Using water to dilute organic soap in a hand spray bottle makes an organic bug deterrent.
  • Crushing garlic cloves and combining them with water in a spray bottle will create another natural deterrent. "Like vampires they don’t like it, and won’t infest plants sprayed."
  • For slug infestations, place small dishes near the base of the plants. Then fill them with beer. Slugs will get drunk and drown.
  • Also, slugs can be beaten by trailing sand, grit or broken egg shells around your seedlings and plants. Slugs will not walk over the rough surface.
  • The most entertaining solution to a caterpillar problem is hunting! It is a great activity for children. For commercial use, farmers could market the caterpillar catching for profit. Many children would love to grow their own butterflies.
  • (Wylde)

WHY?

Aphids, Greenfly, Clackfly, Slugs, Cabbage white caterpillars , sparrows and pigeons (as well as many other species) indulge upon fresh cabbage leaves in a feeding frenzy, destroying farmers' crops. (Stevenson)

Scientists claim using a deadly venom to ward off insects from the plants is beneficial because:

Venomous cabbage

So, technically there are MORE Pesticides being used. In addition to a coating of poison, the plants have poison within their entire volume. This completely contradicts their claim.

Less Pesticides will be used

Is contaminating a work of nature at a genetic level really solving the problem?

Without any reasoning, one might think that not having to spray as many chemicals on our food would be beneficial. However, the lack of chemicals is counterbalanced by the fact that the chemicals are now programed within the DNA of each cell within the plant. (Stevenson)

I would never intend to ingest a toxin, so why is it safe to program our food to produce them?

The Virus was tested on human cells, sort of.

(Stevenson)

Its entirely Safe

The virus with the codes for a toxin called AAiT kills bugs by infection. The genetic addition material from the scorpions releases a nerve poison. This poison paralyzes them. In a vegetated state the bugs are unable to feed, allowing the viral infection to accelerate. (Watts)

The leader of the entire cabbage project demonstrated his trust for his product by taking an out of country vacation when the virus was first sprayed upon the plants. The sprayers wore heavy protective clothing. All the people involved all revived vaccines for protection from this "harmless" treatment.

I would rather not take my chances by eating a paralysis poison.

By: Lia Fiore

(Stevenson)

Consequences:

PLANTS:

This GMO can harm cabbage plants by infecting non GMO populations. The virus could easily mutate to infect other species of plant, and the infection could harm be harmful to the other plant life

INSECTS:

By Killing defenseless caterpillars, there will be a smaller butterfly population. An oxford study showed that of about 100 species of butterfly and moth 75 are susceptible to this virus. With a paralysis poison within this virus, it has the potential to harm many species, especially if it infects more plant species. Many butterflies and moths are endangered species, so bringing this GMO to life could potential lead to the loss of some natural species for eternity.

ECOSYSTEMS:

With a decrease in bug populations, the entire ecosystem will be altered. Predators of the bugs will go hungry and their populations will also decrease. The balance of nature will be tainted.

HUMANS:

We are the real test subjects. The GMO is altered by exposing the plants to a virus containing deadly poison. If the virus mutates, it could begin to effect other organisms, witch would put us at risk.

Extreme Genetic Mutation

To conclude, the venomous cabbage seems like a good idea off the bat, however, the paralysis virus is risky. It could harm every aspect of the ecosystem and destroy many species. If scientists conducted more realistic experiments, and were able to be in control the substance, the use of this GMO would be more realistic.

"Agribusiness Puts Us All in Bed with Scorpions. Who Will Wake Up from This Match?" (Stevenson)

Works Cited

GM Cabbage with Scorpion Poison Coming Soon by Heidi Stevenson

Scorpion pesticide test goes ahead: Scientists undeterred by fresh evidence about potency of virus by SUSAN WATTS

Recombinant scorpion insectotoxin AaIT kills specifically insect cells but not human cells by writers from The National Laboratory of Protein Engineering and Plant Genetic Engineering

URBAN GARDENING FROM AN EX-BIG ISSUE VENDOR by Paul Wylde

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