Bacillus Thuringiensis var. San Diego effects on health

 

            Bacillus Thuringiensis does not have any ill effects for human beings. Since the Cry endotoxins need to bind to a specific enzyme humans do not have to start the reaction that causes holes in a stomach and eventually death. (Pesticide Information Project, 1994)

            Bacillus Thuringiensis will not cause any damage to the environmental health either. It is a naturally occurring Bacteria that decomposes quickly after it dies leaving no trace in the soil. Also any animal besides the leaf eating insects will not be harmed by the pesticide. Other insects such as pollinators do not ingest the bacteria and mammals that may eat it do not have the enzyme needed to make Cry endotoxins deadly.  (Glare and O’Callaghan, 1998)