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Domain: fdrproject.org

Stories and comments across the archive that link to fdrproject.org.

Comments · 11

  1. Re:Just imagine by houstonbofh · · Score: 1 · on GMOs Perfected Down to the Chromosome Level

    Look at the cane toad in Australia. http://www.fdrproject.org/pages/toads.htm Once it is out, you can't put it back in the box. Not that a little thing like cancer will keep people away from tomatoes...

  2. Re:How did you get modded up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0 · on "Smart Dust" to Explore Planets
    I think the stupidest introduction in Australian history would have had to have been Cane Toads. 100 of them were introduced in 1935 for the purpose of eating the native Cane Beetles. Not only did they have absolutely no effect as they they could not catch the cane beetles - the beetles a) live too high and b) breed during the wrong season - but they are creeping across our country every year, affecting local wildlife but also they have no natural predator in our country.



    http://www.fdrproject.org/pages/toads.htm

  3. Re:Great, just great by Fex303 · · Score: 1 · on GM Mosquito Could Fight Malaria

    These mosquitoes aren't going to live longer. They just aren't going to kill people. Normally, that's counted as a good thing.

    From the summary:

    These GM insects carry a gene that prevents them from being infected by the malaria parasite and has the added benefit of providing a fitness advantage to the mosquitoes.
    They might not live longer but even a tiny survival advantage could result in huge number of extra mosquitoes. And we don't know what the chances are of the malaria parasite adapting to the new 'super-mozzies'. More mosquitoes and a hardier version of malaria? That would be rather bad. I'm not saying the research is without merit, but I'd really want to know what we're getting in for, since a repeat of Australian Cane Toad introduction would kinda suck. A lot.

    (Pun about mosquitoes and sucking was not intended. Those responsible will face consequences.)

  4. Re:Cant WE mop up some of the CO2? by rthille · · Score: 1 · on Earth Releasing More CO2 Than Originally Thought

    Well, maybe. It may also be that it would be like importing the Cane Toads into Australia to control another pest. The outcome is difficult to predict, and could cause devastation locally in where the ocean was seeded or cause a chain reaction which would spread the devastation widely. Certainly more study should be done before we just start dumping massive quantities of iron powder in the oceans.

  5. Re:5.3 Million? by fakedupe · · Score: 2, Insightful · on MP3 Market Approaching Critical Mass

    Heh. Maybe more like cane toads? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cane_toads http://www.fdrproject.org/pages/toads.htm

  6. Re:cane toads by bmalia · · Score: 1 · on Microbes Alive After Being Frozen for 32,000 Years

    For those who don't know about Cane Toads... http://www.fdrproject.org/pages/toads.htm

  7. Austrailia by hey · · Score: 1 · on Robots to Rid Us of Cockroaches?

    Its especially funny that this article is from Australia... the place where they have had more than their share of invading species intended to fix an existing problem.

  8. Re:Why is there an assumption... by Turmio · · Score: 1 · on Will Wind Power Change Earth's Climate?

    ...that any man-made alteration of the ecosystem is necessarily bad?
    Ok, it's not necessarily bad but can you point some examples when it's good, please? There's plenty of counter examples. For instance you might want to ask them Aussies what do they think about rabbits and toads, those cute creatures loved by all.

  9. Re:How to control it... by Frogbert · · Score: 1 · on Scotts Testing Genetically Modified Grass

    Well Myxomatosis worked quite well and guess what! It was geneticaly modified!

  10. Re:No, not the same. by originalTMAN · · Score: 2, Interesting · on California Bans Genegineered Fish

    Nature kinda has a delicate balance that we tend to screw up for an immediate solution to minor annorances. See cane toads vs cane beetles for an example.

  11. Re:I doubt it in this case by Mysticalfruit · · Score: 1 · on Genetically Engineered Pets Hit the Market
    Would the world be a worse planet to live on if all zebrafish glowed in the dark?

    Maybe Yes, maybe no. But since we've only got one ecosystem, I'd rather not find out.

    What if glowing Zebrafish have some advantage that causes their populations to explode. Suddenly, a dozen natrual species of fish get crowded out of an ecosystem because of food shortage.

    Take a good look at the nuckleheaded things Australia has done in regards to introducing "exotic" species into an environment where they have no natural enemies... take a look at this site: Cane Toads