Bt-treated
crops may induce allergies
A relatively nontoxic bacterium,
used as a pesticide to protect crops, may provoke allergies in people
who handle treated produce.
References:
Bernstein, I.L. ... M.K. Selgrade, et al. 1999. Immune responses
in farm workers after exposure to Bacillus thuringiensis pesticides.
Environmental Health Perspectives 107(July):575.
Further Readings:
Adler, T. 1996. Mauling mosquitoes
naturally. Science News 149(April 27):270.
Mlot, C. 1997. Biological pest
control harms natives. Science News 152(Aug. 16):100.
______. 1997. Pests find new ways around natural toxins. Science
News 152(Nov. 29):343.
Perkins, S. 1997. Transgenic
plants provoke petition. Science News 152(Sept. 27):199.
Sources:
Brian Baker
Organic Materials Review Institute
P.O. Box 11558
Eugene, OR 97440-3758
I. Leonard Bernstein
University of Cincinnati
College of Medicine
Division of Immunology
231 Bethesda Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45267-0563
Chris Klose
American Crop Protection Association
1156 15th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
MaryJane K. Selgrade
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Experimental Toxicology Division
National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
From Science
News, Vol. 156, No. 1, July 3, 1999, p. 6.
Copyright © 1999, Science Service.
