Bio-Technology Awareness

Is Biotechnology used in Agriculture Really that Safe?

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NEW January 18, 2010 Letter of reply to United States Department of Labor concerning lack of Federal OSHA standards in the state of California READ→ HERE

QUESTION?  Was the "1" and only claim ($756.00) reported by Agraquest; "in the entire 3 years of it's experience period" to the Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau the incident when David Bell had metal fly in his eye at the Agraquest workplace and was taken to the emergency room at Davis-Sutter Hospital by a coworker? (page 6) If so, why was this not in Bell's employee file? According to Dale Kitching of the Sacramento County District Attorney's office, "You don't have to report EVERYTHING".


NEW Continual concealment of Agraquest's (AQ) fraud perpertrated against David Bell by the Sacramento County District Attorney's office.  Two incidences "ALONE" on DWC form 1.  The California D.A. chooses to ignore acts of FELONY committed by Employers within the state.  The corruption continues within the judical process.  READ JANUARY 16, 2010 REPLY LETTER TO DALE KITCHING, PRINCIPAL CRIMINAL ATTORNEY, OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SACRAMENTO COUNTY HERE


gamingSYSTEM1gamingSYSTEM2

 

watch "Gaming The System" Read the transcript with evidentiary documents HERE


MORE SCIENTIFIC PROOF

Prior to David Bell's "trial" in the California Workers' Compensation court (September 10, 2007) to prove the causation of Bell's workplace acquired illnesses and diseases were the direct result from his exposure to known and unknown chemicals as well as microorganisms at his former employer, Agraquest, Inc. Agraquest founder and CEO, Pam Marrone (including Denise C. Manker who testified and in fact committed perjury) had full knowledge that some plant diseases [bacterial and fungi] are cross-infective pathogens [disease producing] and infect humans.   Marrone was one of the participants in the November 2006 workshop, Microbial Biopesticides and Transgenic Insecticides - Enhancing Regulatory Communication.

Professor Anne K Vidaver gave her presentation, "Cross-infective microbes: from plants to humans" on November 7 2006.
biohazardThe following day (November 8, 2006) Morrone gave her presentation, Regulatory And Commercialization of Microbial Biopesticides".   During Marrone's presentation, Impact of regulatory activity on emerging companies" she said, "And of course it goes without saying , human environmental safety is what we are talking about at this conference."   **Session 5: Regulation of and impacts on microbial biopesticides. (Moderated by Eldon Ortman, Agricultural research programs, Purdue)  See•    5.1 - Impact of regulatory activity on emerging companies - Pam Marrone, Marrone Organic Innovations (wmv, 29 Mb) *Fungi & Bacterium testing positive in David Bell were Cross-Over Pathogens from workplace exposure*

cross.over.pathogens READ→ BELL'S MEDICAL & "CROSS-OVER" INFECTIONS READ→ Why no cultures before 2002?

OF INTEREST:  During Marrone's November 8, 2006 presentation, she makes it clear that there was congressional influence in getting her biocontrol product, Serenade cleared throught the EPA:

“OK, Serenade took 20 months for registration, actually that seems fast to me now, but at the time...where was I? I started up the company in ‘95, I raised my first venture capital in ‘97, submitted the package for Serenade in ‘98 ... 2000 it still wasn’t approved, investor’s were on my tail.  I raised 20 million at that point. Investor’s were hounding me, they thought I was incompetent and... and what’s going on? And so, finally what they did was they actually called their congress people on their own to rattle around and put pressure on the agency to approve Serenade.  That does not endear you to the agency, actually it’s counter productive to do... to do that actually, but in this case I couldn’t hold back my investors there was... they were the money people and that’s just the way it was.”

What is most frightening is the fact that several members from the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and several biotechnology companies attending the November 2006 workshop were made aware (if they didn't already know) that there is indeed cross infections from plant diseases to humans.  However, this has not been made known to anyone working in the agricultural arena.


How many agricultural workers, from the farm fields to research and development companies, who work with and are exposed to  plant disease, have become ill and or died because they are not aware of the dangers of cross-infections from plant bacteria and/or fungus to humans? This of course does not take into account the disease producing bacteria and fungi that "hitchhike" on workers' clothing and shoes and are carried home to family members.

One MAJOR CONCERN is Biotechnology companies have been known to use “known plant pathogens” as biocontrol products.  One very good example is the bacteia, Burkholderia cepacia which causes onion skin rot.

Burkholderia cepacia was a biological fungicide for the control of soil-borne fungi on seeds and seedling foresty nurseries, however because of the Center for Disease Control’s intervention it was discontinued in 2000 because of links with lung infections in persons suffering from cystic fibrosis.  Had the Center for Disease Control NOT intercepted with respect to the human health implications of Burkholderia cepacia, we can only assume how may people would have been affected. 

Limitations of the Registration Process: Regulatory Burden (
International Symposium on Biopesticides for Developing Countries 2003)
One aspect of FIFRA, which separates it from many other regulatory statutes, is that it provides a means for the EPA to re-evaluate and require further testing after registration if the current science indicates that this is prudent. For example, the bacterium Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia (now cenocepacia) was registered for use as a seed treatment to control fungal diseases of several crops. Researchers also indicated that some strains had great potential as nematicides, a group of chemicals which are typically quite toxic to mammals. Others had even touted the organism as a useful drain cleaner and included it in other, mostly unregulated, products as well. Over the past decade it became apparent that this species (actually a conglomeration of several species or genospecies) was implicated in the decline of patients suffering from Cystic Fibrosis (CF) or Chronic Granulomatous disease. While it is not possible to determine with absolute certainty the probability that agricultural use of this agent will affect the population of CF patients, a science review panel determined that the potential hazard was too high to warrant continuing use of these products in any form. This past year, the manufacturers halted all uses voluntarily after EPA requested significantly more data to examine field dissemination of this bacterium. This move toward cancellation of the product was ultimately a positive one for users of the product and consumers as a whole; however, the companies involved lost significant research and development input into this line of work. While this is not something easily predicted a priori, it is a possible outcome with any new agent, including synthetic chemicals and active microbial or biochemical ingredients, and can influence the survival of a company and even the trust in biopesticides. ~END~

Burkholderia.cepaciaDISCONT
I find it most concerning that the USDA themselves had involvement with Burkholderia cepacia being used as a biocontrol agent.
USDABurkholderia_cepacia

The above is only ONE EXAMPLE OF USDA’S INVOLVEMENT with Burkholderia cepacia as a biocontrol agent, there are others.

Is this the reason the USDA is down-playing cross-over infections from plants to humans?

Another plant pathogen, Aspergillus flavus; which causes system aspergillosis in humans is also being used on cotton fields and peanut crops.

aspergillusFLAVUSbiopesticide


NEW December 3, 2009 letter received from the United States Department of Agriculture in response to the February 23, 2009  LETTER TO APHIS President Barack Obama Involved

NEW December 7, 2009 Letter to United States Department of Labor - Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis

NEW November 30, 2009 Letter to United States Attorney General - Department of Justice, Eric Holder

NEW November 30 2009 Letter to California Attorney General - Department of Justice, Jerry Brown

WorkComp Edge Video "Staying Out of Trouble With OSHA" by Tim Coomer.  In this video, Mr Coomer takes you through the; 20 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR) Part 1904; Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses process. •This CLEARLY shows workplace injury/illness must be reported and is mandated by LAW.

David Bell's illness was NEVER reported by Agraquest, in willful violation of both Federal and state of California Labor law and in violation of FIFRA.  Further violations have been committed by the California Department of Insurance, Worker's Compensation Fraud Commission and the Sacramento and Yolo County District Attorney Offices - Worker's Compensation Fraud Units.

 

NEWJune 17, 2009 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE

"Injured Worker's Mother Charges Workers Comp Fraud At CA Fraud Assessment Commission California Department of Insurance, Workers' Compensation Fraud Commission"

READ→ TRANSCRIPTION (with evidentiary documentation)

•Transcription includes David Bell's transcription of his interview, "Injured Agraquest Biotech Worker David Bell Tells His Story"; includes documentaton which supports Bell's claims.

THIS TRANSCRIPTION IS 110 PAGES  AND IS 17.65MB, BUT WILL OPEN IN A NEW WINDOW AFTER IT IS DOWNLOADED. Altho the evidentiary documentation in the transcript of David Bell's interview are "screenshots" only.  All  documents [in full] are on file.

This futher documents the California Department of Insurance, Workers' Compensation Fraud Commission and the Sacramento and Yolo County District Attorney office's [Workers' Compensation Fraud Units] are not prosecuting employers who wilfully commit insurance and workers' compensation fraud.

DESCRIPTION:  Injured Worker's Mother Charges Workers Comp Fraud At CA Fraud Assessment Commission". Sandi Trend, the mother of injured Agraquest worker David Bell spoke at the California Fraud Assessment Commission in Sacramento on 6/17/2009 about the illness of her son at the Agraquest company in Davis, California. Trend demanded that the California Fraud Commission investigate the cover-up of fraud by the failure of the District Attorney's to do their job and the role of the owner of Agraquest Pam Marrone in this criminal fraud. She pointed out that the Yolo County DA Daniel Stroski, the Sacramento DA and the Insurance Commission had refused to prosecute Marrone's fraud. This FAC commission does oversight on California District Attorneys prosecuting fraud and dispenses more than $29 million to District Attorney's in California to investigate Workers Comp fraud. However they refuse to go after systemic fraud by the insurance industry bosses and those involved in this case. Pam Marrone and Agraquest conspired to violate health and safety regulations and lied about the injuries of employee David Bell to cover-up their liability. The insurance company Liberty Mutual has also fought David Bell's effort to get his healthcare taken care of.
The FAC commission which is chaired by William Zachry has itself refused to act and the fact that Zachry is also in insurance executive as Vice President of Risk Management for Safeway Inc.

NEW September 9, 2009 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE

"Injured Worker's Mother Charges Workers Comp Fraud At CA Fraud Assessment Commission California Department of Insurance, Workers' Compensation Fraud Commission"

READ→ Transcription with evidentiary documentation

READ→ Transcription of Steve Zelter interview of Sandi Trend

This futher documents the California Department of Insurance, Workers' Compensation Fraud Commission and the Sacramento and Yolo County District Attorney office's [Workers' Compensation Fraud Units] are not prosecuting employers who wilfully commit insurance and workers' compensation fraud.

Relating video: "Workers Comp, The Destruction Of Ca-OSHA/EPA And The Case Of David Bell"

READ→ Transcription of video

DESCRIPTION: "Labor On The Job" focuses on the case of Agraquest biotech worker David Bell. Bell who worked at the Davis, CA biotech laboratory owned by former Monsanto scientist Pam Marrone was infected with fungus and bacteria while working. He and his family have faced a terrifying battle for healthcare and justice from injuries on the job. Despite the fact that his mother found material in his body that was patented by scientists at the laboratory he has been prevented from getting full healthcare to save his life. The corruption and breakdown of the workers compensation system is connected to the deregulation of workers compensation and the elimination of all medical doctors at Ca-OSHA. Joining the show is his mother Sandi Trend, the last Ca-OSHA doctor Larry Rose and author of "Death On The Job" Daniel Berman. "Labor On The Job" is programmed the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month on San Francisco Cable Channel 29 from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM. "Labor On The Job" is also the longest running labor cable show in the United States since 1983. It is produced and programmed by the Labor Video Project in San Francisco. Labor On The Job also programmed on Philadelphia Drexel TV 54 every Wednesday 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM and St. Louis cable systems on on cable ch. 22 in the "City" of St. Louis Fridays at 9:00 PM The Labor Video Project also produces labor documentaries and is part of the Union Producers and Programmers Network (UPPNET) www.uppnet.org Labor Video Project P.O.Box 720027 San Francisco,CA 94172 Phone (415)282-1908 Fax (415)695-1369 lvpsf(at)labornet.org

There is the article, "CAL OSHA: GOING DOWN THE TUBES?" written by Larry Rose, M.D., former Cal/OSHA Public Health Medical Officer (28 years) in which Dr. Rose is very clear in saying California does not have the protection it needs within the state to protect injured workers. READ→ "CAL OSHA GOING DOWN THE TUBES?"

"Injured Agraquest Biotech Worker David Bell Tells His Story"
READ→Transcription of video WITH evidentiary documentation which supports David Bell's claims [THIS DOCUMENT IS 91 PAGES and 14.3 MB]DESCRIPTION: Injured Agraquest Biotech Worker David Bell Tells His Story Labor On The Job on 12/12/2008 interviews Agraquest biotech workers David Bell. Bell talks about his work at the Davis California based company owned by Pam Marrone and how the lack of proper health and safety protection led to his contamination and sickness. He also discusses how the company sought to cover-up their responsibility for his illness and the corruption and breakdown of the workers compensation system along with the failure of health and safety regulatory agencies such as OSHA. For further information on his case go to http://www.biotechawareness.com http://www.workersmemorialday.org/documents/fungus.htm Produced by Labor Video Project P.O.Box 720027 San Francisco,CA 94172 Phone (415)282-1908 lvpsf [at] labornet.org www.laborvideo.org
NEWAugust 27, 2009 letter of complaint, presented to the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation in Oakland, California.  READ HERE Also given to the Commission were photo's of David Bell's medical prior to working at AQ from (1995-1998).  There are a total of 7 pages (1 page is a Confidential Health Information Form) and comparison to David Bell Medical BILLINGS after working at AQ.  These are from 1999-2005. After 2005, the BILLING's to the present date haven't been added.  It should be noted that in 2006 David had the fourth of his four major sinus surgeries and continues to have infections.

This document further validates the need for medical doctor's in the California Occupational Safety and Health agency. There are over 17 million worker's in the state of California without a Medical Doctor on board. In the Video, WORKERS COMP, THE DESTRUCTION OF CA-OSHA/EPA AND THE CASE OF DAVID BELL Dr. Larry Rose (retired Public Safety Medical Doctor with Cal/OSHA for 28 years and who was the last doctor at Cal/OSHA) is very critical of California's Occupational Safety and Health Administration because when he left California chose to not replace him.  Therefore, Cal/OSHA only has Industrial Hygienists and Compliance Officers for inspections of Hospitals, Medical Centers/Clinics, and Biological Laboratories to name a few.  As Dr. Rose says, "They don't know what they're looking for".

NEW •Transcription; with supporting documentation  of  the interview and video   [WATCH INTERVIEW] ,  "INJURED AGRAQUEST BIOTECH WORKER DAVID BELL TELLS HIS STORY" READ TRANSCRIPTION HERE

NEW Becky McClain, injured molecular biologist from Connecticut spoke of the dangers in working in the biotechnology industry during the 2009 Workers Memorial Day event in San Francisco.  Mrs. McClain  also encountered the same plight as David Bell;  NOT KNOWING what she had been exposed to THAT MADE HER SICK ( industry's "TRADE SECRETS"), non-compliance of: the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, agencies within the state of Connecticut, including U.S. Federal Agencies. WATCH VIDEO

NEW February 23, 2009 OPEN LETTER TO APHIS; REGULATORY ANALYSIS AND DEVELOPMENT; PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON PROPOSED RULE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY REGULATIONS

INJURED AGRAQUEST BIOTECH WORKER DAVID BELL TELLS HIS STORY video by Labor Video Project WATCH VIDEO

THE CRIMINAL COVER-UP OF PAM MARRONE's AGRAQUEST OPERATION by Sandi Trend, Mother of David Bell - NOTE:  The Introduction was not written by Sandi Trend VIEW→ HERE Includes: "FALSE & MISLEADING INFORMATION IN CAL AGGIE ARTICLE CONCERNING DAVID BELL and AGRAQUEST" by Sandi Trend "comments" "LIST OF FUNGUS & BACTERIA RELATING TO DAVID'S EMPLOYEMNT AT AGRAQUEST"   "LIST OF HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS FROM THESE PATHOGENS INCLUDING medical peer reviewed references"

Additional Articles, Video's and Audio's relating to David Bell and Agrauest can be found→ HERE

newbiologonewbiologo newbiologo newbiologo

IS309-042IE364-076 HOW WORKERS IN A BIO LAB SHOULD BE PROTECTED

This website contains the horrifying experiences of a biotech worker employed at a biotechnology company with unsafe work conditions and which poses public health threats.   It is a story of exposure and serious illness…abuse, lack of biotech worker’s rights and abandonment by Federal and state agencies, biotech industry and worker’s compensation.  It is about lies and conflicts of interests within the scientific community that pose not only threats to workers, but public health threats.

At 31 years of age David Bell began employment as an "Assistant Researcher" for the research and development company, Agraquest (AQ)  of Davis, California, a company that searches for fungus and bacteria in soils that are not entirely endemic to the United States.  Since 1999, after 10 long years of suffering, David remains seriously ill because of employment with this company.  Read more on this website about his struggles as his battle continues with his health and against public health and safety deceptions within the biotech industry. NEW To Jump to when David Bell first got sick, please begin at, HOW DID THIS START? section on this web page.

PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS

"Our common problems are BIOSAFETY and WORKER RIGHTS and Human rights and public health and safety VIOLATIONS regarding biological inventions".

"Both GMO [genetically modified organism] and natural microorganisms MUST be used in a responsible and safe manner",

"Anthrax is a natural bacteria and not a GMO.  But it is one of the major concerns regarding bioterrorism."

"Some microorganisms are dangerous on their own without GE [genetically engineered]."

"The issue is that biotech companies are using their inventions in an unnatural way both in the lab and within the environment without proper safety studies and without proper biocontainment."

"These companies promoting “green” science are not using them in a “green” manner."

"Promoting that their biotech product is “natural” is a way to fool the public into believing that the use of “natural” bacteria applied in an unnatural manner is SAFE."

"David’s exposure proves differently. His story is very important."

Written by a molecular biologist regarding unsafe work conditions and harmful commercial practices within the biotech industry

To better understand what David's ex-employer, Agraquest does (and did when David Bell worked there), the 2001 SF Chronicle article, "Biotechnology Battles Chemical Industry in Pesticide Market, Pam Marrone is out to give germ warfare a good name" read→ HERE is in itself frightening to not only employees being exposed to known and unknown microorganisms, but keep in mind, these living bacteria and fungus are being used on our food crops and used for insect control.

subtilis_atwork

 

 

SF Chronicle article:

"Marrone is the chief executive of AgraQuest Inc., a biotechnology firm in Davis (Yolo County) that uses beneficial bacteria to fight crop diseases. The idea is to use microbes to fight microbes, creating biopesticides that would compete with the chemical variety."

"Last summer, AgraQuest won state and federal approval to market an antifungal agent called Serende. That's the brand name for a strain of bacteria that AgraQuest scientists found in a handful of dirt from a Fresno farmyard."

"Lab tests showed that the bacterium had an appetite for the fungus that causes bunch rot and mildew in grapes. At that point, AgraQuest went to work on finding a formula to grow the beneficial bug in industrial quantities."

"Although the exact formula is proprietary and therefore secret, this is how AgraQuest goes about creating it. A flask of bacteria is dumped into a 10,000- gallon tank filled with a special food source. Forty-eight hours later, the gooey slime in the tank is harvested. To create a useable product, the bacterial concentrate is dried so that it becomes something resembling powdered chocolate milk."

"We put that powder into 24-pound bags and ship it to the farmer, who dumps it into a spray tank and applies it just like a chemical fertilizer," Marrone said. The product costs about $25 to $50 an acre, which she said is competitive with chemical fungicides.

David was exposed to this subtilis powder and was unprotected; he was told it was "safe" and "wouldn't hurt a fly".  He helped Brian Campbell transfer the subtilis powder from large drums to the 24-pound bags (quoted in the above paragraph).

David found out that the bacteria Bacillus Subtilis wasn't as safe as he had been told when he worked with and around it at Agraquest.  After he left Agraquest (and was still sick) he read about the harm subtilis causes to the human body at the Mayo Clinic Medical Library in Scottsdale, Arizona. read→ Flindt article, Papers that have changed the practice of occupational medicine

Additionally, David then found numerous other scientific, peer reviewed articles referencing the same ill effects of exposure to subtilis; as was found in 1969 by Flindt, as well as the EPA's, Bacillus subtilis Final Risk Assessment of exposure to Bacillus subtilis read→ HERE

It is the enzyme, subtilisn which is produced by the bacteria, Bacillus subtilis that causes ill effects to the human body.  Agraquest did not test for the subtilisn enzyme in their Serenade product, Bacillus Subtilis QST 713 until 3 years after David had left Agraquest; on 6/19/2002.  This was an UNPUBLISHED STUDY done by Denise Manker of Agraquest. [This is documented in the European Commission's, view→HEALTH & CONSUMER PROTECATION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL of 2006

Denise Manker has testified, under oath; during David's workers' compensation trial, that the subtilis that David was exposed to did not contain the enzyme, subtilisn.  She did not reveal to the court that testing for the presence of subtilisn was done by her and was UNPUBLISHED, nor that it wasn't done until 2002, after DAvid had left Agraquest.  Denise Manker also did not reveal to the court that David had also been exposed to another strain of subtilis, Agraquest's strain; QST 153 and did not reveal to the court whether this strain had ever been tested for the presence of subtilisn.

Further, David had been exposed to Agraquest's Bacillus Subtilis QST 713.  In 1999 there were two fermentation submissions of QST 713 to the EPA  from Agraquest in which the EPA only granted Agraquest "Condional Time-Limited" Registration instead of a full registration as the EPA themselves found fault with it. PLEASE READ THE SECTION Agraquest's QST 713 section of this website.

David Bell explained his knowledge of Agraquest's process of finding beneficial (living bacteria, including fungi) and what happened when they found it, in his interview, INJURED AGRAQUEST BIOTECH WORKER DAVID BELL TELLS HIS STORY view→ HERE with Steve Zeltzer, Host of The Labor Video Project:

"They [Agraquest] would go and scour the world around and bring back dirt and rotting plants, decaying material, feces... you name it... anything and culture it at random, in petri dishes and then they would take the pure culture and run it through a screen to see if it might kill a plant... a plant pathogen or maybe a pest of plants... and then it if showed promise then it would further be uped into more... more trials until finally they might consider registering it if it was really a promising candidate."

Steve Zeltzer had asked David whether the organisms were alive and said it was exciting what could be discovered. To this David said:

"Oh absolutely viable... yeah [yes].  That’s the whole thing.... is when you put a biological on a product you don’t really just spray the chemical of the biological... you expect the biological to be viable and propagate and actually grow on the plants.  That’s how the inhibitory effect works."

"It’s cutting edge, it’s definitely cutting edge. I mean you’re culturing and growing species of bacteria and fungi that maybe nobody’s ever catalogued before."

"The biopesticide industry is very much like the beer industry.... ok.  We get the stuff and we have it in a petri dish and it’s in this pure form and then we do what’s a shake flask scale-up to where it moves and it slowly goes up in volume til it gets to big fermentors.  Very much like you make beer.  It’s fermented product."

ARE THE "ACTIVE INGREDIENT's" IN AGRAQUEST's PRODUCTS CONSIDERED CHEMICALS? ACCORDING TO THE EPA, THEY ARE:CHEMICAL-EPA_HEADING

subtilis_chemical

Pumilus_chemical

Muscodor_chemical

streptomycea_chemical

Chenopodium_chemical

It is rather odd, although Agraquest purports to not be using chemicals in their biological products, that the "active" ingredient/s of their products are in fact listed as chemicals in the above EPA's Pesticide Data Submitters List; BY ACTIVE CHEMICAL CODE. VIEW EPA DOCUMENT→ HERE

SERVERE LACK OF FEDERAL AND STATE OF CALIFORNIA  BIO-SAFETY CONCERNS FOR THE AMERICAN WORKER AND/OR THE ENVIRONMENT

HISTOPLASMA (fungus) WAS IDENTIFIED IN DAVID's BLOOD SERUM

Numerous Letters and e-mails were sent to Federal and State Agencies after the fungus Histoplasma was discovered in David Bell's blood serum by the Arizona Mayo Clinic in 2003.

Upon extensive search for the relationship to this fungi being at AQ at the time David was employed there it was discovered that 3 months and 15 days after David began employment at AQ Pam Marrone filed an application (number 09/199,871)  for United States patent 6,004,774 view→ HERE which said the invention "may be used to treat human fungal diseases in which the disseminated disease is a condida, for example, Aspergillus sp, Histoplasma sp. and Tinea sp." .  Additionally, Pamela Gail Marrone was "first named inventor" on United States patent 6,004,774 view→ HERE .

It was also discovered that on 1/22/1999, four days after David first sought emergency medical care,  the four AQ scientists who are listed as inventors on this patent started signing away their interest rights on the patent to the company, Agritope in Beaverton, Oregon. view→ HERE

LACK OF FEDERAL AND STATE OF CALIFORNIA AGENCIES RELATED TO DAVID BELL AND HIS WORKPLACE EXPOSURE AT AQ:

On 4/29/2004 an  e-mail was sent to the [view] United States Department of Human Health Services letter/e-mail informing the agency what had happened to David Bell while working at AQ, help was also requested from the HHS. At this same time, the e-mail was also cc'd to the WHITE HOUSE, CDC, NIOSH, SENATOR BOXER, SENATOR FEINSTEIN, OSHA and CAL/OSHA. (a certified letter was also sent to CDC on 5/1/2004) view HHS email HERE The 6/4/2004 reply from HHS  was, "unfortunately, we can't [help]" view email HERE Additionally, received per the certified letter sent to HHS was a letter from Lauren Burwell, Mycotic Disease Branch of the CDC (8/10/2004).  Ms. Burwell stated, "..we do not have authority over the safety of workers in industrial laboratory settings." "I encourage you to contine to work with your local and state health departments. view letter HERE A reply was sent to the 8/10/2004 letter received from Ms. Burwell in which again was stated the urgency and concerns regarding the histoplasma found in David's blood serum and the relation to this human pathogen being at the AQ workplace in the first place coupled with the risks to the environment. view letter→ HERE

The 6/30/2004 response from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) concerning the AQ occupationally acquired Histoplasma merely said, "NIOSH can respond only to requests from current employees, their collective bargaining representatives, or the employer". view letter→ HERE

NIOSH did however send a copy of the letter they had received concerning David Bell and AQ  to Cal/OSHA and the Yolo County Health Department.  Over a month had passed before a response was received from the former Health Officer/Director of the Yolo County Health Department, Bette G. Hinton.  Ms. Hinton said in her 8/2/2004 response letter that the 2nd AQ location at 1530 Drew Avenue in Davis, Ca had been inspected by Cal/OSHA and stated, "with findings that do not suggest "ongoing exposure" to Histoplasma organism". view letter→ HERE

Ms. Hinton was immediately notified that where David had gotten sick was at the 1st AQ location at 1105 Kennedy Place in Davis, Ca. and "not" the Drew Avenue location where Cal/OSHA inspected. There was never a reply from Ms. Hinton concerning this fact.  It is only known that AQ's Drew Avenue location was inspected by Cal/OSHA one time per the documented citation and fine they received for "several illegal fume-hoods" view documents→ HERE

As of this date, 1/21/2009 there has never been an inspection of the 1105 Kennedy Place building nor the grounds surrounding the building where AQ "dumped" liquid substances down the so-called "drain" that was merely a hollowing out in the concrete that led directly onto the ground per requests from the City of Davis residents. ( See article Agraquest's Research Microbial Lab In The Residential Neighborhood" on this page to view a picture of the "drain" ).

Additionally notified was the U.S. federal regulatory agency, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with several e-mail communications with respect to Histoplasma, AQ and the company's connection to this fungus found in David Bell. view EPA e-mail documentation→ HERE The end result was in essence, nothing.

It should be noted that hazardous waste/toxic substances had been removed from AQ's 1105 Kennedy Place location & 1530 Drew Ave. view California Department of Toxic Substance reports on AQ CAL000170815 HERE , and California Department of Toxic Substance reports on AQ  CAL000104458→ HERE , as well as from the CEO and founder, Pam Marrone's other start-up company, NovoNordisk - ENTOTECH in Davis, Ca. site, which was the exact same type of biotechnology research and development company as AQ. view California Department of Toxic Substance reports on Entotech/Novo Nordisk→ CAL000051388 HERE and California Department of Toxic Substance reports on Entotech/Novo Nordisk→ CAL000060309 HERE Therefore, the same type of "hazardous waste/toxic substances" (biological and chemicals) would have been believed to have been at the same location where David got so sick and It is feared what this residential neighborhood with apartments and senior housing have been exposed to. List of Toxics removed found → HERE

INFECTIONS FROM NATURAL FUNGI CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS

NEW The disease producing bacteria and fungus of plants and insects that were tested in the AQ laboratory (and medical testing showing positive in David) are "known" to also cause diseases and even death in humans. view the linkable chart, clickHERE

NEW 1_20_09_noseWritten by David Bell, (DATE: 1/20/2009): "This is about 1/2 hour ago, right after a rinse. this occurs at least monthly." "I warn you, this video is not for the weak stomach." view VIDEO→ HERE

"...and then there is this if you want to see the black".1_20_09_nose2

Sincerely, David Bell

Nineteen (19) microorganisms, both bacteria and fungus have tested "positive" in David's blood, nose and/or sputum cultures and/or IgG levels (showing levels of exposure) can be all be traced to David's workplace exposure from working at AQ. Fully linkable chart relating to Agraquest connections and David Bell's health can be viewed → HERE

AQ denies any and all responsibility and as you will read on this website, they have done everything in their power to circumvent the "truth" from being known as to their "sole" responsibility of David's first major emergency sinus surgery after only 5 months and 9 days at the company, but also his continuing infections, illness and diseases that have led to 3 additional major sinus surgeries (numerous in office sinus procedures and the loss of an intact immune system which resulted in 3 years (every 28 days) of IV Immunoglobulin infusions at  the hospital. These infusions ranged in costs between $7,0000 to $15,000 for each infusion.  As of the end of 2005, David's medical bills were over $333,000.00 and they have continued to climb. View Totals Billed and Payments→ HERE (This is a 25.5 MB pdf file and my be slow to load.  Please rotate the viewing window for easy reading)

HOW DID THIS START?

On January 18, 1999 David Bell left work early and went directly to Immediate Care Medical Clinic, where he saw Dr. Dorothy Peterson.  He had been sick prior to this; throwing up and had bloody pus draining from his nose.  He also had a fever, cough, was congested and had lost his appetite for 3 days.  He had a fever of 100.2 when he saw  Dr. Peterson.

David was prescribed the broad spectrum antibiotic, Zithromax and was told by Dr. Peterson to see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist immediately.  VIEW→ Dr. Peterson Chart Note of 1/18/1999

Shortly thereafter, on 1/21/1999 upon Dr. Peterson's advice to see an ENT immediately, David saw Dr. McKennan at Sacramento ENT . VIEW→ Sacramento ENT Medical History Form At this time David was now experiencing numbness on the left side of his face (including his teeth). VIEW→ Dr. McKennan chart notes of 1/21/1999 which reflect:

•"Mr. Bell is an, otherwise, healthy 31-year-old male, who comes in because of symptoms of acute left facial pain and numbness.  He had flue-like illness last week.  He ran a fever a was placed on Zithromax."

•"First, his left upper teeth became painful and then the left part of his face and teeth became numb."

•"He has chronic allergies."

•"I advised continued use of Vicodin for pain relief, hot and cold compresses.  I advised Neo-Synephrine 3 to 4 times a day to promote sinus drainage.  Once the Zithromax is finished I will start him on Cefzil."

•"I have ordered a stat CT scan of the sinuses."

•"He may require urgent drainage.

"VIEW→ RADIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF SACRAMENT MEDICAL GROUP, (Dr. David J. Seidenwurm) cat scan results of David Bell

Dr. Nancy Appelblatt of Sacramento ENT then became involved in David's medical care. On 1/25/1999, 7 days after David first sought emergency medical care, Dr. Appelblatt scheduled the first of what would become four (4) major sinus surgery's on David. VIEW→ Sacramento ENT Surgery Scheduling (Dr. Appelblatt also performed David's second sinus surgery in 2002.)

Dr. Nancy Appelblatt’s Operative Report of David Bell’s first sinus surgery on February 3, 1999 can be viewed here→ PAGE 1 , PAGE 2

•Although these subpoenaed pages from Sacramento ENT are extremely hard to read, it is without a doubt that David was in dire need of this surgery.  Within the pages you will read that during the surgery “a large cyst was encountered, it immediately ruptured” and concerning the polyp that was found by Dr. Appelblatt, “There was no obvious infection other than the polyp at this time”.

Cysts as well as polyps can be the byproduct of bacteria and fungal exposure, and it is well known that David was exposed to these microorganisms in his every day work environment at Agraquest.  Medical documentation of this can be seen  on the linkable chart,
VIEW→ Disease From Bacteria & Fungus In Agraquest Workplace Although this chart only applies to the bacteria and fungus testing positive in David, it is only a fraction of the medical conditions and diseases caused as a result of bacterial and fungal exposure.

Given the fact that David had been put on so many medications in the sixteen (16) days between his first seeking emergency medical care and the 2/3/1999 sinus surgery; it is questioned WHY Dr. Appelblatt, months later told David, “I guess I forgot to culture”. Dr. Appelblatt  had in fact told David and his family that she had saved his life.

infusion_pump

David stopped producing B-cells for an intact immune system and for 3 years, every 28 days he was hooked up to an IV pump in a hospital receiving immunoglobulin infusions.
AQ not only denies responsibility for David's 1st emergency sinus surgery in January, 1999, they also deny that David sustained a cumulative and progressive illness from his workplace exposure to known and "unknown" biological hazards in the workplace resulting in his continuing sinus infections.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 January 2010 13:40 Read more...
 

Why Did and Does Agraquest Conceal Injury, Illness and Disease Related To Workplace Exposure?

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NEW Agraquest did NOT report David’s workplace injury/illness that rendered the left half of his face and teeth to become numb, severe infection with bloody pus draining from his nose leading to the emergency sinus surgery being scheduled 7 days later per:

  • Insurance Code Section 11760], Labor Code 5401 Reg 101119;  "Claim Form provided to employee within one day of knowledge of injury"

  • Labor Code 3602;  "Liability exists for any injury sustained   by an employee “arising out of and in the course of employment”
  • Labor Code 4600;  "Medical Treatment;  employee is entitled to treatment that is “reasonably required to cure or relieve from the effects of the injury”

  • Labor Code 4650;  "Injury Causes Temporary Disability-Payment to Begin"
  • California Code of Regulations: Title 8 Section 342;  "Immediate reporting of any serious injury, illness, or death of an employee at the workplace"

Agraquest further violated Federal and California state laws regarding MANDATORY pesticide incident (adverse effects to human or environment) exposure reporting laws per:

California Department of Pesticide Regulations

Division 6. Pesticides and Pest Control Operations; Chapter 2. Pesticides; Subchapter 1. Pesticide Registration; Article 6. Adverse Effects Disclosure

•Chapter IX; REGULATORY ACTIONS AFTER THE PRODUCT IS REGISTERED; 

•B. RENEWAL OF PRODUCT REGISTRATION

•F. ADVERSE EFFECTS DISCLOSURE

•G. REEVALUATIONS

•H. RISK ASSESSMENTS

Federal Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA),

7 U.S.C. §136 et seq. (1996); Summary of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

On April 3, 1998 there was the "1998 PESTICIDE REGISTRATION NOTICE 98-3; NOTICE TO MANUFACTURERS, FORMULATORS, PRODUCERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND REGISTRANTS OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS", which in part says:

•"which requires pesticide registrants to report  information concerning unreasonable adverse effects of their products to EPA (62 FR 49370).  The purpose of the rule is to clarify what information to submit, how and when to submit it, as well as which failures to report information, or delays in reporting, will be regarded by EPA as  violations of FIFRA section 6(a)(2), actionable under FIFRA sections 12(a)(2)(B)(ii) and  12(a)(2)(N)."

•III. AGGREGATE REPORTING  The regulations establish different requirements for reporting timeframes and for content  of incident reports depending on the defined severity categories (see Section VIII.  Exposure  Types and Severity Categories).

(For more information AND the Security and Exchange Commission filing by Agraquest listing "RISKS" that will indeed shed light on why Agraquest did not want David's injury and illness reported and KNOWN please see "Read More".)

Last Updated on Sunday, 25 January 2009 01:02 Read more...
 

Agraquest's QST 713

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"One" of the Agraquest Products that David was exposed to was QST 713 Bacillus Subtilis Technical.  This was the Seven Hundred Thirteenth microorganisms that Agraquest "screened".  This bacterium was also discovered in a peach orchard by Agraquest scientist, Sherry Heins.

Submissions to the EPA for registration of QST 713 Bacillus Subtilis Technical did not result in a full registration for Agraquest.  In fact, Agraquest was "denied" full registration by the EPA and was only only given a "conditional time-limited" registration. Alarming reasons were questions to cause of death in Freshwater Aquatic Invertebrate, question of Bacillus Subtilis infection in shrimp, questions of death to "HONEY BEES" and Agraquest DID NOT meet guideline requirements in their submission (studies) on the toxicity and pathogenicity to "FRESH WATER FISH".

[See the four (4) page EPA form here→ June 20, 2000 "Conditional Time-Limited" Registration for QST 713  Technical]

Listed on the above June 20, 2000 "Conditional Time-Limited" Registration for QST 713 Technical:

The submitted manufacturing processed did not have sufficient quality control fermentation batches.

Data required

Data for the 12 month storage stability of the end-use product has not been submitted.

Additional data described in the December 12, 1999 review and March 8 2000 letter are required to upgrade submitted process, MRID# 44519-04 to acceptable.  This includes:

•1) A formal submission that clearly describes new quality control steps taken to assure the consistent CFU/g values and limit microbial impurities in the Technical Powder.

•2) A 5 batch analysis of Technical Powder produced from cell cultures with latest QC.

•3)   Raw data for the above mentioned 5 batch analyses.

Ecological Effects Data Required

•A 21 day Freshwater Aquatic Invertebrate Study must be performed.  Attenuated and filter sterilized controls should be used in the test. Test lab should attempt to determine cause of death and whether pathogenicity involved.

•[Shrimp] Required due to report of disease in terrestrial amphipod crustacean associated with B. subtilis infection. Protocol must be submitted before initiating study.

QST Technical was shown to cause mortality to parasitic Hymenoptera.  MRID 44619-14 is graded supplemental. Potential pathogenicity was not investigated.

•[HONEY BEE] All test concentrations showed treatment related mortality. MRID 4456519-17 is supplemental due to the short test duration and the lack of a determination as to whether mortality was due to toxicity only or whether pathogenicity contributed.

PLEASE NOTE:  The submissions of April 28, 1999 and  June 19, 1999 by Agraquest to the EPA were one of the products, [QST Technical wettable powder] that David had transferred from LARGE drums into 24 pound bags for shipment.  He was told "it was safe" and didn't wear a respirator.

 

Last Updated on Friday, 06 March 2009 22:07
 

“Laws” Apply Only To The Willfully Fraudulent Employer/Insurance Companies & Not The Injured Worker

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“WHY” didn’t Agraquest inform David Bell he had legal rights for workers’ compensation benefits when he sustained a workplace injury/illness/disease from his exposures to human pathogens in the laboratory?  “WHY” didn’t Agraquest give David the DWC 1 claim form, EMPLOYEE’S CLAIM FOR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BENEFITS?  “WHY”,  did Agraquest list the wrong insurance carrier when David filed the DWC-1 claim form after he realized he had in fact gotten so sick and required emergency sinus surgery after only 5 months and 9 days on the job in 1999, continued to have sinus infections which resulted in an additional major sinus surgery in 2002 (two more followed) coupled with the fact David’s immune system was crashing and the histoplasma found in David’s blood serum related to the U.S. patent 6,004,774 which was filed with the United States Patent Office 3 months and 15 days after he began working for Agraquest?  Was this Agraquest's further attempt to willfully and fraudulently conceal their involvement in David's medical condition?  Did they list the "wrong" insurance carrier so the statue of limitation would run out?

“WHY” was and still is the above deliberate attempts by Agraquest to conceal David’s workplace injury/illness/diseases allowed to continue? 

When Agraquest was 195 days past the 90-day allowable period to deny a claim per California Labor Code 5402 [90 Day Discovery - Period Starts]  “WHY” was this allowed to continue throughout the California workers’ compensation process when David’s claim for workers compensation benefits should have been 100% compensatable?  “Why” didn’t the California Worker’s Compensation system acknowledge, instead of ignore David’s judicial rights to a fair process?

Last Updated on Monday, 15 December 2008 11:23 Read more...
 

What David Bell Struggles With Almost Daily After He Got Sick From Working At Agraquest

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As of 2008 David Bell has gone through almost 10 years of thick, rubbery, hyperplastic-like substance's coming from his nose, when he is able to "flush it out". This is not what David had experienced before he went to work at Agraquest, he had "seasonal allergies" and he had a runny nose. David has been told by physicians, "I don't know what this is" and "I've never seen anything like this before".

Thick, rubbery, hyperplastic-like substance's from David's sinus.

19_mucous


This took 37 seconds to "drop".                      

To view the short video clip, Click HERE

 

 

3_mucous

"Mucous Balls or Plugs":     To this day David continues to use an electric nasal irrigator (he has worn out 3) with saline solutions,  usually daily, in the attempt to kill his ongoing sinus infections and loosen the thick rubbery substances  that are lodged in the most upper portion of his sinus cavities. What he does manage to loosen is only  replaced by new growth. David has not only used Saline nasal irrigations he has also been prescribed  solutions to irrigate his  sinuses, he has been prescribed AMPOTERICIN B Nasal irrigation solutions (10  prescriptions) , which is  an antifungal and 4 prescriptions of GENTAMICIN nasal irrigation solution, an antibiotic.

The prescribed medications for David's “nasal irrigations” do not include the other thirty three (33) antibiotic prescriptions, and the twenty one (21) antifungal prescriptions which included 6 months of David being on Sporonox and additionally Nizoral.  These prescriptions do not include: anti-inflammatory, asthma, cardiac, decongestants, expectorants, GI system, immune dysfunction, nebulizers, pain relievers, pancreas and rhinitis prescriptions prescribed David. (Only through 2005).

Agraquest and it's representatives not only deny David got sick from working at the company, they go so far as say that he is making this up.  

 

Last Updated on Sunday, 07 December 2008 23:28 Read more...
 

The Agraquest Bacteria & Fungus Testing Positive in David Bell

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David Bell has tested positive to 19 microorganisms, both fungi and bacteria in either blood serum, nose and/or sputum cultures and/or IgG antibody levels (positive to HIGH POSITIVE) that can be traced to Agraquest in their patents and/or products and/or other company’s patents that Agraquest scientists are listed as “inventors”.  Agraquest has only admitted to a few of these being at the company during his employment term.

BACTERIA: (source's nose and/or sputum cultures); Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Staphlococcus  FUNGUS; (source; blood serum); Histoplasma,  (source's nose and/or sputum cultures);  Acremonium, Curvularia,  and Penicillium  (source; IgG levels from "positive" to "HIGH POSITIVE"; Alternaria,  Aspergillus,  Botrytis,  Candida,  Cladosporium, Eppicoccum,  Fusarium,  Helminthosporium,  Mucor,  Penicillium, Pullularia,  Rhizopus, and Stemphylium.

To see the the five page; color coded flowchart which shows Agraquest’s connection’s to the bacteria and fungi identified in David Bell, PLEASE OPEN→ HERE

To view a chart that is completely linkable for the reader of this website to see the actual patents and/or products that connect Agraquest’s involvement in the illness/disease’s of David Bell as the result of the workplace exposure from working at Agraquest PLEASE OPEN→ HERE.  

This "chart" is searchable in which numerous links have been provided for the reader of this website to go directly to the documentation showing the validation of David's workplace exposure: ie; fungus and bacteria linking Agraquest Patents (and or Agraquest Scientist listed as "inventors" on other companies patents) as well as Agraquest's Products.

•Further included in this database are links to Workers' Compensation documents as well as responses from Agraquest to and order from Judge Volkan in which she ordered whether pathogens were in the Agraquest workplace when David Bell was employed there and Denise Manker's response to David's "Motion to Compel" [Discovery].

•You will also find links to documentation as to what these pathogens do to the human body.

•Also included is the workers' compensation, Qualified Medical Examiner, Dr. Ng report in which he says:

"..... it is not surprising the he [David Bell] could have been exposed to histoplasmosis in the contaminated microfoci"

Last Updated on Friday, 06 March 2009 21:41
 

Articles/Video's/Audio/Blogs on David Bell

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DINA PADILLA, INJURED WORKER ADVOCATE FIGHTS FOR THE RIGHTS OF INJURED AGRAQUEST BIOTECH WORKER, DAVID BELL:

DINA PADILLA TESTIFIES AT THE SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE-WORKERS' COMPENSATION FRAUD COMMISSION

TRANSCRIPTION; PART ONE TRANSCRIPTION; PART TWO

DINA PADILLA INTERVIEWED BY STEVE ZELTZER ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 AT THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE & ANNOUNCES HER RUN FOR CALIFORNIA INSURANCE COMMISSIONER.

TRANSCRIPTION OF INTERVIEW

DOCUMENTARY ON THE CASE OF DAVIS AGRAQUEST BIOTECH WORKER DAVID BELL ON DAVIS COMMUNITY CHANNEL 15 by Davis Media Access Television

For other articles, video's, and audio's that concern not only David Bell and Agraquest, but in no way are less important include;

•1) Article from Dr. Larry Rose, retired Public Safety Medical Doctor with Cal/OSHA for 28 years and who was the last doctor at Cal/OSHA, Dr. Rose is very critical of California's Occupational Safety and Health Administration because when he left California chose to not replace him.  Therefore, Cal/OSHA only has Industial Hygienists and Complicance Officers for inspections of Hospitals, Medical Centers/Clinics, and Biological Laboratories to name a few.  As Dr. Rose says, "They don't know what they're looking for". 

There are over 17 million worker's in the state of California without a Medical Doctor on board.

•2) There are video's which include ex-presidential candidate, Raplh Nader and his Vice Presidential running mate, Matt Gonzalez who give their support for injured workers everywhere.

 

•3) There are several articles concerning the safety and health to the residents of Davis, California where David got so sick.

•4) There is an audio of David Bell in which he was interviewed live on air in Davis, California.

To see the list of articles, videos, audios and blogs (with links) please click "read more" below.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 December 2009 11:59 Read more...
 

And The Credibility Goes To?

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"WHO" were and are the participants in the willfully, fraudulent, concealment and misconduct against David Bell?

•Agraquest

•Pam Marrone

•Denise Manker

•Brian Campbell

•Liberty Mutual Insurance

•Daniel Reich, Esq.

•The California Workers Compensation system

Last Updated on Friday, 26 December 2008 05:19 Read more...
 

The Concealment Of David Bell Getting Sick At Agraquest From Denial From Agraquest And Continuing Through The California Workers' Compensation System

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The California Workers’ Compensation system proved to be a nightmare for David Bell as well as countless other injured workers who have sustained an occupational exposure resulting in illness, disease and to some, death.

It is questioned “why” California has Qualified Medical Examiners [QME’s] within it’s workers’ compensation system when their expert  medical opinion and findings side with the injured worker  are merely ignored?  Instead of believing, or even acknowledging the validity of the QME’s findings and reports (and other medical opinions as well as scientific evidence)  the California workers’ compensation system, which is run by the same insurance industry that fights the injured worker’s “claim for benefits”,  choses to rule on the side of the “unsafe” employer denying all rights for not only the injured worker’s rights to compensation benefits (including much needed medical care),  but also denying him or her the judicial rights to a fair process.

In the following you will see how Agraquest. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and the California workers’ compensation system circumvented the "truth" with respect to David Bell sustaining an occupational illness and disease as a result of working for Agraquest.  

Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 December 2008 04:46 Read more...
 

Some Important Information on Agraquest, The Company Searching The World For "Novel" Microorganisms

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Agraquest is the biotechnology company that searches throughout the world for the "novel" microorganism (fungus, bacteria) to be used in the place of chemicals for diseases of plants and insect control.  Although not known unless it has affected someone close to you, these plant diseases also produce diseases in humans as well.   Remember, when a new microorganism is found it has to be screened and identified (if possible) and then it is tested on various bacteria and fungal diseases of plants or against insects.  This took place in David's workplace environment at Agraquest.   David Bell and many other microbiologist like him are exposed daily, and more times than not, without knowledge to these human disease producing microorganisms that are in their workplace environment. 

Where does Agraquest "search" for the "novel" microorganism? [Meaning of "novel"; "of a new kind; different from anything seen or known before"]  Agraquest and/or it’s representatives have made public where they search for these microorganisms in soil, plants, plant roots, lichen, leaves and/or it’s litter, mulch and other decaying organic matter, fruit, bird feathers, dead insects, lake beds, forests, dunes and ocean caves, animals from terrestrial sources, marine sources (sponges, sea urchins, etc.) insects of all kinds,  rain forests, jungles, dry creek beds, orchards, farm fields, and gardens.  This is only what has been published.  (This information was obtained through searching articles and interviews by or about Agraquest.  (This information was obtained through searching articles and interviews by or about Agraquest. “Excerpts” from these references can be viewed [  HERE  ]

Included within these "excerpts" is the article: "March of agricultural technology continues, Bio-warriors come in from the cold" (August 24, 2000) in which states:

•"Partnering in the project with Davis, CA-based AgraQuest are Drs. Elena Stepanova and Elena Ryabchikova, State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology ("Vector"), New Siberia Region, Russia."

•"[Vector} once a top secret biological warfare research facility in the Soviet Union"

Also included in the "excerpts" in the article, "Recruiting microbes to do the dirty work";By Michael Kanellos Staff Writer, CNET News.com - April 11, 2006 in which states:

•"The microbe for root-knot nematodes studied at AgraQuest was discovered in an Eastern European creek by scientists once associated with a bioweapons lab in Siberia. The company's first product, Serenade, derives from a microorganism found in a peach orchard near Fresno, Calif., where a farmer had noted that a particular strand of trees never got hit with the dreaded brown rot. And the active ingredient in a fungicide called Sonata is a patented strain of Bacillus pumilus, originally found in a garden in Micronesia."

Agraquest's product QST 20,799 is the fungus, muscodor albus that was found in a cinnamon tree in Hondurus.

The point is that microbes, fungus and bacteria from locations from the around the world have been and still are at the Agraquest lab. These are "known",  "WHAT" are the "unknown"?  

Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 January 2009 22:51 Read more...
 

David's Mistake Was Accepting Employment At Agraquest

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Read what happened to David Bell, who at 32 years of years of age accepted the letter of job offer from the former Monsanto scientist, Pam Marrone which in turn turned out to be the biggest mistake he had ever made. David wanted to help the world in the new and evolving field of biological control of plant diseases and insect control.  He never realized his health would never be the same. His daughter, being very young when David went to work for Agraquest has asked, "What was Daddy like before he got sick?"

 

Last Updated on Sunday, 14 December 2008 04:40 Read more...
 

Agraquest's Research Microbial Lab In The Residential Neighborhood

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1105_kennedy_directory

While David worked at the 1st Agraquest laboratory which was located at the corner of 1105 Kennedy Place, Suite 4 in Davis California he was instructed to "pick up a drum" from an off-site farm.  When he returned to Agraquest with the "drum" he opened it in the lab. This "drum" had liquid in it. When David asked if it was safe he was told "yes" and was told to "dump the liquid" and clean in out so it could be reused for fermentation broth.

Where Agraquest "dumped" was down a so called "drain" outside the lab that led directly onto the ground.   As you can tell by the following photographs, the "drain was merely the hollowing out in the existing sidewalk.

drain

drain.continue end_of_drain

The end of  the drain sits flush with the corner of the building.  (While David  still worked at the Kennedy Place Location the hollowing out of the "drain" had not been jackhammered out as is shown in the above pictures.)

close_up_controlvalve cv_faucet

Around the corner of the building and the end of the drain was the  "irrigation control valve".  To the right of the "irrigation control valve" is the run-off drain from the roof.  As you will note, directly above the "irrigation control valve" is a faucet. Please note, this is a "clean faucet".  Pictures of the other "clean faucets" around the 1105 Kennedy Place building, as well as a faucet showing at the neighboring 1107 Kennedy Place can be found in "READ MORE".  As you will see a little further down this page, the faucet that was on the outside wall of the Agraquest lab was NOT clean.

1105_kennedy_pl down.knoll j_street_off_covel_bac_lab

Apartment complex's are located directly across the street from the back of the building where the old Agraquest laboratory was located and where the end of the "drain" faces.  These apartments are located on the corner of J Street and Kennedy Place. Additionally, single family dwellings and senior housing are located within direct proximity to the old Agraquest Laboratory where David became so ill.

drain_pipe gunk_close

pipe_closeup i
gunk
What was also found on August 13, 2006 was a dripping faucet  with  "GUNK" along the pipe and underneath .  This is also on the same exterior wall  where  the old Agraquest lab was located and is on the same  side  of the  building where the "drain" is. (In 2008 another wall had been placed next to the sidewalk with a  new  faucet installed and dirt has been placed between the  building's exterior  wall and the new wall containing a high flower  bed.
cros_drain clossup_dead.crow

Below the "gunky" dripping faucet was a dead crow.  It appeared the crow  had stopped  to get a drink.  There were  no  signs of the crow  decomposing nor were there any  signs of any crawling bugs or flying insects. Two weeks later the dead crow was still there AND AGAIN,  there  were  no  signs of decomposition,  crawling bugs  or flying insects.

Last Updated on Monday, 09 March 2009 18:21 Read more...
 

Polls

Do you believe products containing bacteria or fungus , either being "natural microorganisms" , and/or "combined with other bacteria/fungus/viruses/chemicals" is safe to be used for insect control and put on the human and animal food supply?
 

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Newsflash

Identification and Characterization of Novel Genetic Markers Associated with Biological Control Activities in Bacillus subtilis -Raghavendra Joshi and Brian B. McSpadden Gardener Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University, OARDC, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster 44691.
Accepted for publication 3 October 2005.

DISCUSSION:  Nearly half of the 149 sequences we analyzed were sufficiently different from those presently in GenBank that no functional assignments could be made

Identification of subtracted genome fragments obtained from Bacillus subtilis QST713 [AGRAQUEST]
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
Bacillus  cereus
Bacillus  licheniformis
____
2)