By: Shekinah And Conor

1. What is BT Protein? How does it act on insects? Why is it considered “safe "for ingestion by humans and animals? By: Shekinah And Conor

2. What is BT Protein? • A Protein that is toxic to chewing insects and is produced by the soil bacterium Bacillus Thuringiensis and has long been used as a biological pesticide.

3. How does it act on insects? • Insects eat BT crystals and spores • The toxin binds to specific receptors in the In the gut and the insects stops eating • The crystals cause the gut wall to break down, allowing spores and normal gut bacteria to enter the body. • The insect dies as spores and gut bacteria multiply in the body.

4. Why is it considered “safe” for ingestion by humans and animals? • BT proteins do not have characteristics of food allergies or toxins. • BT toxins have not been linked to any known food allergen or protein toxin, and do not display any oral toxicity when administered at normal doses. • However, recent studies have shown that Bt toxin administered at relatively high concentrations could have a negative effect on human cells. But there is not enough evidence to prove that is deadly.