In the last days we participated in a practical GE/GMO working session. First we extracted pure DNA in the lab and measured its actifity – see the white dots on the black ground, measured in a fotospectrometre. A second workshop gave insight into the GE-effects on non-target organisms…

The toxin of a bacterium that has been integrated into the leaves of a cornplant (Bt-corn) not only kills the nasty biests, but also affects beneficial insects like some butterflies and pollinators. Third we measured the non-intended Bt-effects on soil: Bt should only be active and measurable in the green plant only. However, scientist can measure Bt also in the soil, in the vicinity of the Bt-plant – another unintended effect that shows the risks of GE. Through the ELIZA-test, a infrared detector that measures light absorption and gives a characteristic redish mosaic pattern as a result. we were fascinated and decided to use this in our installations…