Reply #7: The toxin produced by the bacterium is different that the toxin produced [View All]

[Tumbulu]

in the GMO plants expressing the toxins and this has been my concern for over 25 years about these engineered plants.

The natural toxin that is produced by bacteria B.t. is bound in the form of a crystal that cannot be dissolved except in a solution that has a pH over 10 (highly alkaline) or it surrounds the spore. Mammals have stomachs that are acidic, generally. insects have highly alkaline guts and this is one reason the toxin is specific to insects. For this reason the toxin produced by the bacterium which is fermented and then concentrated and sold as a biological insecticide to organic farmers is very specific and safe. The crystalized toxin also breaks down within 24 hours of UV light into non toxic biodegradable compounds.

The genetic engineers in selecting the genes to express picked genes that express the raw toxin- the raw activated toxin- perhaps active to all living things since the modes of specificity have been removed- but who knows since these guys have refused to test the toxins making the very false claim that it is the same as what the bacteria produces.

The two major bacilli that form toxic spores and crystals are Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t) and Bacillus anthracis (anthrax). I do not understand how these so called scientists have allowed themselves to be bullied by the business community into abandoning science and not testing these toxins. It is simply criminal.