From Jeff Waage, International Organization of Biological Control
Ascot, Berkshire
In your editorial of 8 March, you make a compelling case that biotechnology
may negate the value of the bacterial pesticide, Bacillus thuringiensis
(Bt), by encouraging the development of resistance. But you then call for more
research on resistance and greater regulation of biological control.
Are these really the priorities? Throughout Asia today, tens of thousands of
vegetable farmers are learning how to manage the alien diamond-back moth
through an innovative, discovery-learning system called Farmer Field Schools.
These farmers go on to reduce their use of broad-spectrum pesticides by over 50
per cent and promote natural enemies of the moth introduced from the area of
origin of the pest (Slough, in fact). They use Bt only sparingly.
Meanwhile, back in the lab, we scientists draw up plans to manage pesticide
resistance so as to conserve the markets for pesticides and transgenics. It is
hard to avoid the simple conclusion that the best way to manage resistance to
any pesticide, biological or chemical, is to find a way to use it less, as these
Asian farmers are doing.
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