"Colchicine - The common mushroom mutagen. Supposedly used br Mr G to create most of his strains. Fairlt easy to work with. One needs to make a colchicine agar, and streak some spores or mycelium on it, than transfer a bit of healthy mycelium into a celan agar plate(no colchicine) and try an fruit the new strain. Causes mutations in unpredictable places in the DNA chain."

s dangerous and totally innacurate. First of all, by saying that colchicine is commonly used and can be used easily, you are risking peoples health and possibly lives by making it seem common and safe. COLCHICINE IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CHEMICAL!!! It is not easy to work with. You can't just toss it around. If you do, you will hurt yourself and likely others around you. Any mention of colchicine without warnings of it's dangers is extremely irresposible. Secondly, it's not the common mushroom mutagen. Who else do you know that's worked with it? Is it more common than random mutation? UV mutation? I certainly doubt it, because it is much more dangerous and not many people work with it.

Also, it doesn't cause mutations in unpredictable places in the DNA chain at all. Have you done any research here? I know for a fact that the effects have been discussed rather thouroughly here b4. Colchicine doubles the number of chromosomes in actively reproducing cells(that is the ones that survive!). That's not random, and it's not within the DNA chain. It is called polyploidy and there are safer ways to achieve it. It is extremely predictable and simply doubles the chromosomes.

Also, no mention not to eat the mutated fruit, esp from colchicine!!!??? By no means should the first generation ever be consumed, and some have even expressed concerns about any generations being edible. Leaving out this type of information can drastically alter ones life forever.

Be aware that working with colchicine is extremely dangerous. I wish I had listened to Dr. Lindeman long ago. This post is the exact type of thing he was afraid would happen. I disagreed assuming that people would do their research before risking their health or the health of others, but I guess not.

I also question any information that is contained in a post that lacks such relevant information. You said no flames, so I think this is just an informed objection. Don't encourage experimentation with things either you don't fully understand the implications of, at least give a warning, or in other words kids:
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!!!!

Hey doc, you wanna switch sides now that I took up your old argument?

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-From a registered Mad Scientist

"From a certain point of view"
-Jedi Master Obiwan Kenobi (also a Mad Scientist tm)

Visit The Donkey! just behave

Let's just say that I've been working with this one for a while and though I'll plead the fifth on any further questions, I will say that the stuff scares me more by the day.

One more rant. Do a little research on this subject, and you will quickly learn how full of shit much info on the web is. Especially on BBs where any idot or genius can post as opposed to articles written by a genius and archived by idiots. People, if you aren't smart enough to understand what you are doing better than the people that talk about this kind of thing on-line, don't do it!
Enjoy.

------------------
-From a registered Mad Scientist

"From a certain point of view"
-Jedi Master Obiwan Kenobi (also a Mad Scientist tm)

Visit The Donkey! just behave

[This message has been edited by mycofile (edited June 19, 2000).]

trade_omlet

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How do you like your eggs?
scrambled? OMLET?

Now Mycofile, I want you to e-mail me.
madmycologist@webtv.net
( message edited on behalf of Trade omlett. He asked me not to post certain personal info. I don't like him right now, but I will respect him and honor his request.)

Or call me.
Hell i'm rich- I can call you if you want.
Let me know.
Thank you again Mycofile!
You have just made my day!
God bless you.
Well, the drugs are starting to wear off, i'd better go.
God bless you all!
To trade omlett, Shalom my friend.
G'night.

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What little I know....

[This message has been edited by Dr. Charles Lindeman (edited June 19, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Dr. Charles Lindeman (edited June 19, 2000).]

Dr., you've got mail (please don't try to smoke it

------------------
-From a registered Mad Scientist

"From a certain point of view"
-Jedi Master Obiwan Kenobi (also a Mad Scientist tm)

Visit The Donkey! just behave