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Murashige, Laura IBC-.S, 50-cx1 lCom 20 PICOUNCU-,
From: hgdorsey@msn.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 7:15 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: biocontrol
Aloha,
I have lived at my Kehena beach property in Hawaii for over 20 years. I am a former teacher
( High school, Community College) with degrees in biology, chemisty , geology and anthropology. I
have testified twice to council but am not physically able to sit for a long time waiting this go
round.
Biocontrol is rapidly falling out of favor with mainstream scientists as there are long term
reprocussions as a species adapt to new enviroments and change, often chosing to eat the very
item it was imported to save. We should NOT import any more insects or fungi to Hawaii. They can
and will cause problems. We do not know how they might evolve or what other untested ,
unplanned externalities might emerge. Again I will remind council that although genes take time to
evolve their expression is controlled by start and stop sequences that can change quickly. When
this is changed rapid evolution happens and it is within one generation. With the large number of
myrtle plant sopecies on the island we are taking too big a risk. I am also concerned about human
allergetic reactions to chiton ( the bugs outter coating) if large numbers of the creatures are in the
trees.
Sincerely,
Bettie Van Overbeke
12-423 Ole'Ole st.
Pahoa, HI 96778
965-6673
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Comm. rim Z 2,0.32.
Ref. To,
4ef. Date- 19 2i Rna
8/18/2009