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Tell the EPA: No Rubber Stamp for Novel RNAi Pesticide EPA gave us short notice for public comments on this one. We can guess why. We need your voice today to stop the EPA from ramrodding the approval of this novel, first of its kind, GMO pesticide. Without analysis of data from still incomplete experimental field trials, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is about to rubber stamp a new nano-scale GMO, RNAi-based pesticide called Ledprona for commercial use and is giving the public little time to respond. This experimental pesticide, manufactured by GreenLight Biosciences, Inc., will be the first of its kind to be used anywhere in the world. Additionally, due to its nano size, it has the potential to drift through the air, which could result in widespread, off-target effects. The public comment period ends Saturday, October 14, at 11:59PM Eastern Time. We’ve made it quick and easy to submit your objection. Use the pre-written comment or edit it to make it your own. |
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According to the EPA: Ledprona is a new type of pesticide that relies on a natural mechanism--called RNA interference (RNAi)--used by plants and insects to protect against disease. The proposed new biopesticide involves a sprayable double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) product that targets the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), a major pest of potato crops grown in the United States, including in the potato-growing states of Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. The CPB feeds heavily on potato plant foliage. If left uncontrolled, CPB will eat and destroy the leaves of the plant. If this occurs around the time of flowering, the plant may not produce potatoes. The CPB is also known to develop resistance to insecticides rapidly. This sprayable dsRNA product kills the pest by “silencing” the CPB gene needed to produce the PSMB5 protein, whose role is essential to keeping the CPB alive, without resulting in a genetically modified organism. If approved by EPA, this RNAi-based pesticide would be the first sprayable dsRNA pesticide in the world allowed to be used commercially and sprayed on plants. Time and again, EPA has approved insecticides that the manufacturers claim will only harm target insects, only to find out years later that those insecticides are actually harming or killing a lot more than the target insects. Being a completely novel, experimental biopesticide, the EPA has no clue what Ledprona will do to microorganisms in the soil or to nontarget insects, birds and animals. Will it contaminate our soil, air and water supply? What harm will it cause to human health in the long term? If this pesticide was so safe, why would its experimental use permit require applicators to wear personal protective equipment including long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, shoes, protective eyewear, and a particulate filtering respirator? Americans shouldn’t be the lab rats of pesticide companies. Tell the EPA not to approve Ledprona. |
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Thank you for taking action to stop this new, likely dangerous pesticide. Let’s keep experimental RNAi pesticides off our French fries and out of our bodies and environment, The GMO/Toxin Free USA Team |
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