...researchers found that the whitefly (B. tabachi) obtained a gene dubbed BtPMaT1, which gave it protection against toxins found on plants — toxins that should protect them from insects... The researchers fed the whiteflies a diet containing the toxic phenolic glycosides, with a control group receiving a solution without the toxin. That’s how they proved the bug received the gene from a plant and then incorporated it into its DNA.
That on the surface is no proof of anything. Maybe they just need a better science writer. How about explaining the outcome of their test versus the control group.
They might have explained how they knew that whitefly (B. tabachi) did not have that DNA incorporation in past generations. How can feeding whitefly (B. tabachi) the same diet that it had been naturally feeding on prove jack squat?
Yes. You are correct.
But even worse, this article is utter crap distortive propaganda.
The study says the gene transfer took place 35 to 50 million years ago. This BGR article purposely makes it seem the fly gained this gene recently.