1. Scope
1.1 The purpose of this practice is to develop a standardized test to assess sensitivity of honey bees to transgenic crops. 1.2 The objective was to establish a standardized good laboratory practices (GLP) test. Although originally developed for transgenic proteins, other compounds can be tested under the same design. Presented here are data that suggest that this assay can generate consistent results and the larval honey bee assay can provide valuable data for the assessment of honey bee sensitivity to chemicals. 1.3 UnitsThe values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2.1 The western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) plays a vitally important role in U.S. agriculture by providing pollination to the majority of fruits and vegetables in this country. The honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) remains one of the most important nontarget insects used in testing for the registration of both pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMO). 2.2 Laboratory testing is important in the evaluation of GMOs with insecticidal traits because it is certain that bee larvae have actually consumed the introduced material. 2.3 The objective of this study was to assess the honey bee larvae in vitro rearing method originally developed by Vandenberg and Shimanuki to evaluate the feasibility, repeatability, sensitivity and standardization of this method.
Keywords
honey bee larvae; sensitivity; transgenic crops
The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.
Citing ASTM Standards
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