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Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Grainne who wrote (96620)	2/26/2005 4:01:44 PM
From: average joe	Respond to of 108807

Effects of B.t. preparation additives Commercial B.t. preparations basically contain the toxin crystals, spores and cellular debris to which various substances are added, the majority of which are the water or oils used to suspend the spores and toxins. Next, additives intended to increase the insecticide's effectiveness are added to the suspension. These additives are diluents (water, oil, powdered clay), emulsifiers, thickeners, humectants, foam inhibitors, substances that encourage the insects to eat the crystals (such as sugar), and stabilizing agents (antioxidants, antibacterials, evaporation suppressants). It must be specified that since the nature and chemical composition of these additives are protected trade secrets, it is impossible to know the exact potential toxicity of commercial B.t. preparations. However, we do have enough information to state that some of these additives have slightly irritating properties, as confirmed by the warnings contained on commercial product data sheets. The organs most sensitive to additives are the respiratory system and the eyes. Eye irritations and conjunctival congestion observed in rabbits are caused by the abrasive properties of the additives. A case of corneal ulceration, diagnosed in a man who splashed insecticide into his eye, was also caused by the additives. Finally, the higher frequency of eye, nose and throat irritation, chapped lips and dry skin in workers exposed to B.t.K., as compared to a control group, could be a response to the presence of products other than the bacteria. In addition, the symptoms of irritation were observed more in workers with a prior history of allergies (asthma, eczema, seasonal allergies). hc-sc.gc.ca

To: Grainne who wrote (96620)	2/26/2005 4:07:58 PM
From: average joe	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

Greenpeace charged that the Bt gene in plants has been altered from its natural state to a truncated form, closer to its active state, and suggested this would make the Bt protein active in the gut of insects not normally susceptible. The EPA found no evidence of such activity when they performed extensive safety testing on the transgene product. Greenpeace stated that the high dose/refugia combination is insufficient to ensure the prevention of Bt resistant pests. The EPA is not required to ensure prevention of resistant pests, moreover it is an impossible standard. The EPA developed a multi-step pest resistance management plan to prevent "unreasonable adverse effects" which includes more precautions than just the high dose/refugia requirement. foodsafetynetwork.ca

To: Grainne who wrote (96620)	2/26/2005 4:09:53 PM
From: epicure	Respond to of 108807

I wonder how many more there are? ............... 3rd Columnist On Bush Payroll WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2005 "I was hired because we have an expertise in working with churches." Mike McManus Syndicated columnist Maggie Gallagher had a $21,500 contract with the Health and Human Services Department to help promote the agency's marriage initiative. (Photo: imapp.org) Commentator and columnist Armstrong Williams was paid $240,000 by the Education Department to plug its policies. (Photo: AP) (CBS/AP) A syndicated newspaper columnist received at least $4,000 from the Department of Health and Human Services for work in support of President Bush's effort to promote marriage, USA Today reports. Mike McManus is the third commentator to receive money from a federal agency to boost Bush policy initiatives. The newspaper said McManus got the money to train marriage mentors. USA Today also said Marriage Savers, a non-profit organization operated by McManus, received $49,000 from a group that receives HHS money to promote marriage to unwed couples who are having children. The newspaper said McManus had boosted the Bush marriage initiative in his column on several occasions since he began receiving government money in 2003. USA Today also reported that Wade Horn, the HHS official who manages McManus' contract with the agency, was quoted in at least three of the columns. Horn is a former member of the Marriage Savers board of directors, the newspaper said. News of the McManus contract follows the disclosure that syndicated columnist Maggie Gallagher was being paid $21,500 by HHS to push the White House's $300 million initiative to encourage marriage. Columnist and commentator Armstrong Williams was paid $240,000 by the Education Department to plug Mr. Bush's No Child Left Behind legislation. That contract became known two weeks ago. McManus told USA Today that the opinions expressed in his column were not influenced by his work for HHS. "I was hired because we have an expertise in working with churches," he said. On Wednesday, President Bush ordered his Cabinet secretaries not to hire columnists to promote administration policy. "All our Cabinet secretaries must realize that we will not be paying commentators to advance our agenda," Mr. Bush said. "Our agenda ought to be able to stand on its own two feet." That wasn't good enough for the Democrats. Sens. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey say they will introduce a bill next week that would strengthen existing law against using government funds for publicity or propaganda within the United States. "This abuse by HHS is just another in a long list of similar incidents of paid policy advocates supporting Bush Administration policies," the senators wrote. Also Wednesday, the House Committee on Government Reform released a report on the use of taxpayer dollars for public relations campaigns. It found the administration spent a record $88 million on government-funded public relations contracts in 2004 — more than double the amount spent in 2000, according to the report prepared for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other Democrats. Several investigations, including one by Congress' investigative arm, the Government Accountability Office, and the Education Department, are under way. They are looking into whether any laws were broken — and if so, by whom — when Williams was given the money to produce television and radio ads promoting the No Child Left Behind Act. Williams has apologized, calling it a mistake in judgment to not disclose that the administration was paying him, but insisting he broke no laws. Gallagher apologized to readers in her column Tuesday, saying she was not paid to promote marriage but "to produce particular research and writing products" — articles, brochures, presentations. "My lifelong experience in marriage research, public education and advocacy is the reason HHS hired me," she wrote. She said it never occurred to her to tell readers about her work for the government. "I should have disclosed a government contract when I later wrote about the Bush marriage initiative. I would have, if I had remembered it. My apologies to my readers."

To: Grainne who wrote (96620)	2/26/2005 4:50:36 PM
From: Ish	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

<<But genetic engineering of crops is the most UNCONSERVATIVE thing anyone could do. >> Getting more production out of the same area and using less poisons sounds conservative to me. I just read an article about red/blue areas. It seems, and sounds right to me, that the blue areas want to tell the red areas how to live and that causes friction. I live in a county that will have 6 billion corn plants this summer and you want to tell us how to grow corn. How much corn have you grown?