(Updated)Test of GMs vs tests of the EFFECTS of GMs: You are still confounding the test of the zinc finger genetic modifications with the test of the RESULTS of the genetic modifications.
So here is a full explanation which I hope will make the difference easier to understand:
KBLB does genetic modifications to the worms using zinc fingers provided by SIAL (sublicensed to it by KBLB). This is to make planned genetic changes to the silkworms.
SIAL provides a test kit which can be used to see if the genetic sequence in the silkworms was changed in the way that the zinc fingers were designed to change it. That is ALL the kit tests for: to see if the intended changes to the silkworms' genes were made successfully. That is the test of the genetic modifications (to see that the intended changes in the sequence were made), not of the effects of the genetic modifications (i.e.: the effects that the changes in the genes have upon the worms)
Successfully changing genes does not always result in the changes expected as many biotechnology companies have discovered.
The only way to determine if genetic changes have the intended effects is to allow the genetically modified organisms to reach the appropriate stage of their development
(and to put them in the relevant circumstances if the effects were expected only under certain circumstances) and then test to see if the changes did result.
After the genetic changes are made, KBLB has to wait for the worms to spin their cocoons and then exit from them (as moths) in order to get the silk to test. (NOTE: for commercial silk production the silk is harvested at an earlier stage but if you want the worms to survive to reproduce (as KBLB most certainly does!) you have to wait til the moths emerge.)
Then the silk is sent out for independent confirmation that 1) the silk contains only spider silk protein and no worm silk protein (i.e.: is pure spider silk)
2) tests of the qualities (strength, elasticity, etc.) of the silk
THAT is the test of the silk and of whether the changes in the genes had the desired effects or not.
The two tests are very different and of very different significance. It is very important to distinguish between them in order to understand what's going on. I will try to be very explicit as to which one I'm referring to in the future.
You're very new to KBLB and might benefit from going over some of the past posts to learn a bit more or just continue to ask questions. But be very careful about assuming that you understand what's happening until you get all your questions asked and answered. This is more complex than it might appear to be at first glance. Take time and I would suggest focusing on what will really make or break KBLB: the technology. Other issues often raised here, while significant, are very unlikely to affect whether or not KBLB is a success, just the degree to which it is, if it is. The technology is the really critical issue here, IMHO
Welcome aboard and good luck with your due diligence.
You are providing a very useful service to the board by indicating the areas where explanations need to be improved to make them more comprehensible to those not familiar with what KBLB is doing. Thank you!
AI
