In this paper we use recent results about the topology of Chow varieti
es to answer an open question in infinite loop space theory. That is,
we construct an infinite loop space structure on a certain product of
Eilenberg-MacLane spaces so that the total Chern map is ar infinite lo
op map. An analogous result for the total Stiefel-Whitney map is also
proved. Further results on the structure of stabilized spaces of alebr
aic cycles are obtained and computational consequences are also outlin
ed.