A large part of Sonia Altizer's work uses monarchs and their parasites as a model system for host-parasite coevolution in general. (For example, why don't parasites always evolve to become harmless if their existence depends on their hosts?) This, of course, includes human pathogens. So, even if one does not care at all about monarch butterflies, this research has direct relevance to human well-being.
Jane Shevtsov On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 6:46 AM, Jonathan Adams < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Altizer's own words give a good reason why that might actually be money > well spent. I am sure Palin and the Joes would gladly fund work on the > Liberty Bell or restoration of one of the oldest American flags... the > monarch butterfly is inconic to North America and its culture, and it is > certainly vulnerable to declines. My guess is that many Republicans would > hold its survival very dear (unless the name 'Monarch' itself is too > reminiscent of those terrible times before the Revolution, when the real > patriotic folk of America such as Sarah and Joe lived under the tyranny of > the British Crown). > > > > > > http://tinyurl.com/2d6r9f > > $679,492 Grant to assist professor's study of butterflies > > > > Altizer received the National Science Foundation Faculty > > Early Development Career award to study migration and > > infectious disease patterns in Monarch butterflies. > > > > Altizer hopes her research will help with conservation. She > > wants to know how migration keeps Monarchs healthy. > > "People tend to love Monarchs to death," Altizer said. > > Keeping humans from disrupting the butterflies' migration > > will help keep them healthy. > > > > Paul Cherubini > > El Dorado, Calif. > > > -- ------------- Jane Shevtsov Ecology Ph.D. student, University of Georgia co-founder, <a href="http://www.worldbeyondborders.org";>World Beyond Borders</a> Check out my blog, <a href="http://perceivingwholes.blogspot.com";>Perceiving Wholes</a> "Political power comes out of the look in people's eyes." --Kim Stanley Robinson, _Blue Mars_
