The New Dark Age

Researchers at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have developed genetically engineered trees that create a protein that forms holes in the gut of psyllids, insects viewed as pests, and kills them (it’s unclear whether the GM trees contain Bt toxins, which also make holes in insects’ guts, or some other GM technology). The psyllids infect the trees with bacteria that strangle the root system, resulting in citrus greening disease. The disease has devastated Florida’s citrus production.

The GM insecticidal tree “solution” – if it works – is expected to take 10-15 years to become available. However, GMWatch comments that a non-GM solution may already be out there. Frank Dean, product development manager at Performance Nutrition®, a division of the company LidoChem, Inc., has developed a simpler, safer, and more publicly acceptable cure for the disease. He also says it has been proven to work. It doesn’t involve antibiotic sprays, GMOs, or any significant cost to the grower. Yet it seems that the solution is being ignored by the US government and the universities alike. More about it here. GMWatch comment on article in WUSF

Missouri senators are arguing that stopping farmers with cancer liked to Roundup exposure from suing Bayer will somehow keep China at bay (China is a glyphosate manufacturer). But they fail to mention it will also stop American farmers with Parkinson’s (linked to paraquat exposure) from suing Syngenta/ChemChina — a Chinese state-owned corporation! @GMWatch on X

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