Researchers have found that humans are not the only thing genetically modifying organisms. Butterflies and moths have been found to posses genes from parasitic wasp, that protect them against other viruses. These parasitic wasp known as braconids, inject eggs and the bracovirus into caterpillars of butterflies and moths. The virus is injected to inhibit the immune system of the caterpillar to protect the larvae. When a caterpillar survives an attack against the wasp, the bracovirus has modified the gene and it is now able to be passed to the off spring. The researchers have also found that the gene helps protect them against baculoviruses. The baculovirus is used by farmers to control insect pests.
A consequence of humans genetically modifying insects is that the genes can be transferred into other species. For example genes introduced into parasitic wasp that are used to control pest may be transferred into pest.
Herreror which is one of the researcher for this said "we must be aware of the types of genes that we add, since they could also be transferred to other insects."
The article can be found here
http://www.livescience.com/52225-parasites-viruses-genetically-modify-butterflies.html
Minimally, the position of introduced genes should not be in proximity with baculovirus genes.
ReplyDeleteWith introducing genes whether with good intentions or not, I would think there would be consequences that would not be expected. It seems a little Jurassic Parkish.
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