More meddling

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by clueless1, Nov 20, 2013.

  1. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2008
    Messages:
    17,778
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Here
    Ratings:
    +19,598
    What do we think will happen if 3 species of insect suddenly started dropping in numbers?

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24958488

    A firm is hoping to release genetically modified flies into olive groves to wipe out a particular fly that is a pest to olive growers.

    Meanwhile in Brazil the same firm has been testing another GM fly to get rid of mozzies, and they say they've seen a 96% reduction in mozzies in their trial.

    They're also working on a GM fruit fly to wipe them out too.

    It all sounds good in a way. I hate flies, and I know that some of them are pests, but I can't help but wonder what happens to the birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish etc etc that eat them.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
      clueless1, Nov 20, 2013
      #1 Quote in Conversation
    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

      Joined:
      May 5, 2012
      Messages:
      28,567
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Public Transport
      Location:
      At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
      Ratings:
      +53,761
      They will go ahead with it, get loads of subsidies from governments all around the world for ten or fifteen years, and then all of a sudden someone somewhere will 'discover' that they have inadvertently knackered the life cycle of spiders across the globe, and that we are going to be over-ran by 40-million other species of fly that cannot be controlled by GM flies.
       
      • Agree Agree x 3
        Fat Controller, Nov 20, 2013
        #2 Quote in Conversation
      • Sheal

        Sheal Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Feb 2, 2011
        Messages:
        36,359
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Dingwall, Ross-shire
        Ratings:
        +55,350
        The above says it all..... 'it's a pest to olive growers'. Is it an issue for the trees? If nature is left to it's own devices it will take care of itself in time..... after all it existed before we did! :)
         
        • Agree Agree x 3
          Sheal, Nov 20, 2013
          #3 Quote in Conversation
        • Loofah

          Loofah Admin Staff Member

          Joined:
          Feb 20, 2008
          Messages:
          14,631
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Guildford
          Ratings:
          +25,656
          Yes, but we've been interfering for so long now that any natural patterns are well and truly scuppered.
          Kill all the flies. What could possibly go wrong? :gaah:
           
          Loofah, Nov 21, 2013
          #4 Quote in Conversation
        • Jenny namaste

          Jenny namaste Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Mar 11, 2012
          Messages:
          18,580
          Gender:
          Female
          Occupation:
          retired- blissfully retired......
          Location:
          Battle, East Sussex
          Ratings:
          +32,566
          :goodpost:
           
          Jenny namaste, Nov 21, 2013
          #5 Quote in Conversation
        Loading...
        Similar Threads - More meddling
        1. Kevin Cowans

          Is my Rosemary No More?

          Kevin Cowans, Jan 21, 2025, in forum: Other Plants
          Replies:
          9
          Views:
          682
          Pete8
          Feb 2, 2025
        2. ClematisDbee

          Pollarding a small sycamore

          ClematisDbee, Nov 1, 2024, in forum: Trees
          Replies:
          26
          Views:
          1,806
          ClematisDbee
          Dec 4, 2024
        3. Tufty

          Should I stop crown prince plants from forming more squash?

          Tufty, Aug 12, 2024, in forum: Edible Gardening
          Replies:
          4
          Views:
          517
          Scroggin
          Aug 12, 2024
        4. GardenDisaster

          How can I make August more exciting?

          GardenDisaster, Aug 10, 2024, in forum: General Gardening Discussion
          Replies:
          13
          Views:
          615
          GardenDisaster
          Aug 11, 2024
        5. Tidemark

          Sycamore trees dying branch by branch in the Peak District

          Tidemark, Jul 26, 2024, in forum: Pests, Diseases and Cures
          Replies:
          10
          Views:
          610
          Tidemark
          Jul 31, 2024

        Share This Page

        1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
          By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
          Accept Learn More...
          Dismiss Notice