APHIS has categorized H. bacteriophora as among “low-risk organisms which have already been released in the U.S.”
The genetic modifications we have made to H. bacteriophora should not impact this nematode’s spectrum of insecticidal activity.
It is difficult to envision a worst-case scenario in which the donor organisms might conceivably cause plant damage or even stress. There is only one worst-case scenario in which the recipient, H. bacteriophora, might indirectly cause plant damage: by killing nontarget pollinators or insect predators and parasitoids that attack plant pests. Like most insecticidal nematodes, H. bacteriophora is reputed to possess a broad spectrum of insect activity, killing most insects in petri dish assays. This is an experimental or laboratory host range, however, not a natural host range. In nature, behavioral and ecological barriers come into play to greatly limit natural host range (Gaugler, 198
; thus, there are very few reports of field-collected insects being infected with H. bacteriophora, suggesting a restrictive host range in nature.
An examination of a worst-case scenario is worthwhile in assessing the potential plant health risk represented by the proposed field release of a transgenic insecticidal nematode. If: (1) infective juvenile nematodes escaped from the containment soil cylinders, and (2) these nematodes in fact possessed enhanced field persistence, and (3) were able to disperse long distances to new habitats where they might presently be constrained from colonization by episodes of sudden high temperature, and (4) the transgenic nematode was able to survive other environmental constraints of the new habitat (e.g., low soil moisture), and (5) this new habitat contains hosts the nematode was adapted to parasitize, and (6) the nematode(s) were able to locate, overcome the immune response, and reproduce in the host, and (7) the new hosts were beneficial insects that regulate the populations of important crop pests, then this series of unlikely events might lead to indirect crop damage. In short, there is a very low, insignificant probability that this series of events would actually occur.
Also, as if further support were needed as to the dangers posed by transgenic nematodes, read:
See:
http://stri.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Nematoda
GMOs should not be released into the environment as there is not adequate scientific understanding of their impact on the environment and human health.
Overview
Nematodes are roundworms that have bilateral symmetry and lack a complex body plan. Roundworms have a simple nervous system, no digestive system or respiratory system, and possess only longitudinal muscles. They move by contracting these muscles, causing the worms to whip back and forth because they have nothing to brace these muscles against. Nematodes excrete wastes using specialized cells or canals, but do not contain flame cells, as the flatworms do. There are around 12,000 species of Nematodes that have been identified, although studies suggest that there could be up to about 500,000 species. Nematodes include both free-living and parasitic species, many of which can be harmful to humans. Nematoda includes common roundworms, which infect many humans worldwide, hookworms, trichina worms, which are responsible for trichinosis, pinworms, and filarial worms, which cause the devastating diseases elephantiasis and river blindness. The damage nematodes can cause in humans should not be underestimated, nor should their abundance in the world.
Then take the position of Greenpeace, who state that:
“GMOs (Genetically modified organisms) should not be released into the environment as there is not adequate scientific understanding of their impact on the environment and human health.”
“The introduction of genetically engineered (GE) organisms into the complex ecosystems of our environment is a dangerous global experiment with nature and evolution.”
“These human-made organisms can reproduce and interbreed with natural organisms, thereby spreading to new environments and future generations in an unpredictable and uncontrollable way.”
I believe that the genetically altered transgenic nematode, and its’ dispersal into the environment, is the cause of the phenomenon known as “Morgellons Disease”, of which I myself have suffered from for seven-years.
In this e-mail I aim to substantiate my claim, and convince you to take immediate action!
Furthermore I draw your attention to the paper submitted by Dr. Randy Gaugler, this can be found at:
see:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/arthro.../9605201r.html
From this I learned that: (repeated above at start of document)
The United States Environmental Protection Agency does not regulate insecticidal nematodes (Gorsuch, 1982), including genetically engineered strains (Andersen, personal communication).
Also backed up by an article by the same Dr Randy Gaugler which is to be found at:
see:
http://www.gcsaa.org/gcm/1997/dec97/12nema.html
From this I read:
Regulatory constraints have hindered the development of some genetically engineered organisms. Insecticidal nematodes, however, possess a unique niche in the regulatory environment. In 1996, we readily obtained approval at federal, state and local levels to release our transgenic strain into turfgrass field plots at the Rutgers Upper Deerfield Experiment Station in Salem County, N.J. (4). Results from the study support the regulatory view that the transgenic nematode strain is an unlikely environmental threat.
In fact I discovered that the exemption he refers to is found in the document:
See:
http://www.biotechknowledge.com/biot...ht=0,NEMATODES
In which it states:
It is now possible to transfer genes into plants that confer the ability to produce an entire virus that is pathogenic to a targeted insect pest of that plant (Service, 1996). Such plants obviously must be subject to careful study, evaluation, and formal or informal oversight, but as plants and not as pesticides. We would point out that microbial biocontrol agents delivered or vectored to a targeted insect pest or weed by a nematode or arthropod are currently exempt from regulation as microbial pesticides under FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act) on the basis that the nematode or arthropod released to deliver the microorganism is already subject to adequate oversight by the USDA (USDept of Agricuilture).
The Act
FEDERAL REGISTER
Vol. 51, No. 123
Thursday, June 26, 1986
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPTS-00049A]
Statement of Policy; Microbial Products Subject to the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Toxic
Substances Control Act
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
ACTION: Notice.
can be read at:
See:
http://www.isb.vt.edu/epasrc/enacted/epa.gui.txt
I have found out from a past paper on US bio-technology;
See:
http://www.icsu-scope.org/downloadpu...chapter14.html
There is a clear policy established requiring review of genetically engineered microorganisms prior to release into the environment with some organisms subject to an abbreviated review. In the unlikely event of a problem arising in this period of time EPA (environment protection agency) could use its authority under section 7 of TSCA to immediately limit or prohibit the manufacture, processing, distribution, or use of the product. In addition to the EPA activity, USDA will review all genetically engineered plant pests and animal pathogens.
With this in mind maybe now would be a good time to invoke the use of such a power.
Finally I would like to remind you that this could be observed as a biological threat against mankind. With that in mind I wish to remind you of our obligations as a country under the “Biological Weapons Convention” I am sure that you will be aware that my notifying you of this conjecture regarding this emerging disease and genetically altered organism, places squarely upon us as a country the rensponsibility to investigate, and inform the signatories of the BWC treaty.
The creation and stockpiling of biological weapons (”offensive BW”) was outlawed by the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), signed by over 100 countries. The BWC remains in force.
I do hope that you took the time to read this document. This is a matter of international significance to world health.
Below is my attempt to decipher exactly what was done to create this transgenic nematode, and to explain the scientific terminology/shorthand/code used in the paper.
Yours Faithfully and Sincerely
With the best of intentions!
Andrew Coyle Dated 5th February 2007
p.s.
To ensure this given maximum exposure I have blind carbon copied a copy of this email to a list of recipients in Govt and media around the world
see:
http://www.rumormillnews.com/MEDIA_EMAIL_ADDRESSES.htm
3. INTERPRETATION OF GENETIC MODIFICATIONSDr Randy Gaugler went on to genetically alter and release these transgenic nematodes into the environment.
His organism details, and genetic alterations, (which I shall interperet below) were as follows:
Trade Name Scientific Name Common Name
—————————————————————–
a. Donor Caenorhabditis elegans hsp70) NA
(Nematoda: Rhabditidae)
Aequoria victoria (gfp) Jellyfish
(Cnidaria)
b. Recipient Heterorhabditis bacteriophora NA
(Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae)
c. Vector pUC18 gfp with a C.
elegans hsp70
gene
—————————————————————–
By way of explanation my interpretation of this is as follows:
a. Donor Caenorhabditis elegans
Otherwise known as C elegans,is a free-living nematode (roundworm), about 1 mm in length, which lives in temperate soil environments.
Caenorhabditis is a taxon (grouping of organisms) traditionally placed within a larger group of largely freeliving terrestrial nematodes (Rhabditidae, Rhabditina, Rhabditida).
C. elegans can enter an alternative third larval stage called the dauer state. Dauer larvae are stress-resistant and do not age.
C. elegans made news when it was discovered that specimens had survived the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in February 2003.
see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._elegans
In mid-December, Science announced that the millimeter-long worm Caenorhadditis elegans became the first animal to have its entire genetic structure sequenced.
See:
http://www.animalrights.net/archives...99/000004.html
hsp70)
Heat shock proteins (Hsp70s) are a family of ubiquitously expressed proteins. Members of the Hsp70 family are strongly upregulated by heat stress and toxic chemicals
(Ubiquitously = Being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time; omnipresent)
(Up regulation occurs when a cell is deficient in some kind of receptors. In this case, more receptors enter or attach to the membrane of the cell and thus the reactivity of the cell is brought back to normal, re-establishing homeostasis.)
(Homeostasis = The ability or tendency of an organism or cell to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes.)
See:
http://en.wikipedia.org
Results showed that transgenic nematodes were 18 times more tolerant of heat shock than the unmodified wildtype nematodes (Hashmi et al., unpublished).
See:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/arthro.../9605201r.html
(Nematoda: Rhabditidae)
Rhabditida is an order of free-living microbivorous nematodes (roundworms) living in soil.
Genera include:
Bursilla (Mesorhabditis)
Caenorhabditis - of which C. elegans and C. briggsae have had their genomes deciphered
Cruznema
Enterobius which includes the pinworms
Heterorhabditis
Panagrellus which includes the microworm
Pelodera
Rhabditis
Steinernema
see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhabditida
A family of nematodes that contains both free-living and parasitic species
Rhabditis (Rhab·di·tis) (rab-di´tis) [Gr. rhabdos rod] a genus of minute phasmid (microscopic leg like protusions) nematodes of the superfamily Rhabditoidea, family Rhabditidae, living mostly in damp earth, and as an accidental parasite in humans and domestic animals.
R. ho´minis a species found in human feces.
R. intestina´lis a species found in human feces.
R. niel´lyi a species found as an accidental parasite on human skin.
R. pel´lio a species found in the human genitourinary tract. R. strongyloi´des a species that usually lives in decaying vegetable matter but may invade broken skin of humans and other animals, causing rhabditic dermatitis
see
http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns...dmd_r_11zPzhtm
Aequoria victoria (gfp) Jellyfish
(Cnidaria)
green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a protein, comprised of 238 amino acids, from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria that fluoresces green when exposed to blue light.
The gfp (green florescence protein) gene is a marker encoding for fluorescence. The transgenic nematode with the gfp gene produces a strong green florescence when excited by blue light (450 to 490 nm) using a long-pass emission filter, permitting quick, simple screening to identify transformed individuals.
see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_fluorescent_protein
Cnidaria are jellyfish, corals, and other stingers
The name Cnidaria comes from the Greek word “cnidos,” which means stinging nettle.
There are four main classes of Cnidaria:
Class Anthozoa (anemones, corals, etc.)
Class Scyphozoa (jellyfish)
Class Cubozoa (box jellies)
Class Hydrozoa (Obelia, Aequorea, Portuguese Man o’ War, etc.)
see:
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/cnidaria/cnidaria.html
b. Recipient Heterorhabditis bacteriophora NA
(Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae)
LIFE CYCLE OF H. bacteriophora
The life cycle of H. bacteriophora consists of an egg, four juvenile stages and the adult. Only third-stage juveniles attack and infect host insects. This stage is the only free-living stage in the life cycle of the nematode, and is adapted to remain in the environment without feeding for a prolonged time. All other stages exist only inside the host.
The infective juveniles move through soil in search of hosts. Once a host is encountered, the nematodes enter though natural openings or use their dorsal tooth or hook to break the outer cuticle of small, fragile insects to allow the juvenile to enter.
Once the infective juveniles are in the host insect, they begin development. Their alimentary canal becomes functional and they release symbiotic bacteria to multiply in the insect. These bacteria are consumed and digested by the developing nematodes.
The symbiotic bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens is only pathogenic to insects when introduced into the insect body, not if it is ingested. The bacterium is unable to survive in soil or water, so the nematode provides protection for the bacterium outside the insect host and a means of transmission to new hosts. The nematode is unable to reproduce without the nutrients the bacterium provides.
The bacteria kill the host, usually within 24-48 hours. Nematodes feed on the bacteria and host remains, and each infective juvenile develops into a hermaphroditic female. These females then produce eggs which will develop into both males and females. Only a portion of the eggs are laid outside the female; the remainder hatch inside the female and the juveniles destroy their mother as they develop. These nematodes mature, mate and produce infective juveniles that emerge from the cadaver 12-14 days after infection.
see:
http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/mbcn/kyf611.html
Heterorhabditis is a genus (rank between family and species) of nematodes belonging to the order Rhabditida.
see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterorhabditis
As Sudhaus (in Sudhaus, 1993) proposed, insect parasites belonging to family Heterorhabditidae are derived from within Rhabditidae
c. Vector pUC18 gfp with a C.
elegans hsp70
gene
Describing the microinjection of a fragment of the genetic code of gfp,c elegans and hsp70 using a plasmid vector.
(Plasmid = DNA molecule capable of autonomous replication. It is typically circular and double-stranded.)
(vector = Any device of transportation or movement.)
Finally I would like to remind you that this could be observed as a biological threat against mankind. With that in mind I wish to remind you of our obligations as a country under the “Biological Weapons Convention” I am sure that you will be aware that my notifying you of this conjecture regarding this emerging disease and genetically altered organism, places squarely upon us as a country the rensponsibility to investigate, and inform the signatories of the BWC treaty.
The creation and stockpiling of biological weapons (”offensive BW”) was outlawed by the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), signed by over 100 countries. The BWC remains in force.
I do hope that you took the time to read this document. This is a matter of international significance to world health.
Yours Faithfully and Sincerely
With the best of intentions!
Andrew Coyle