Page - October 17, 2006
Genetic contamination could result in superweeds resistent to pesticides.
Canola growing wild on roadside outside of Yokkaichi port Japan where genetically engineered Canadian canola has been imported. Genetic testing has shown that GE canola has escaped into the wild all along the shipping and transport route of the crop.
GE plants contain genes from unrelated species. These genes can
come from bacteria, viruses, other plants or even animals. These
foreign genes can transfer to other organisms, resulting in genetic
contamination. Genetic contamination happens in four ways:
- A wild plant is growing close to a GE field and is fertilized
by a GE seed.
- A traditional or organic plant is growing on a neighbouring
field and is fertilized by a GE seed.
- A GE plant survives outside of a GE field and develops into a
population of semi-wild, GE plants.
- The micro-organisms present in the soil or in the intestines of
an animal that has eaten GE food assimilate the foreign genes.
Unlike other forms of pollution, genetic pollution is literally
alive and can spread as plants and micro-organisms grow and
reproduce. That's why the spread of GE organisms cannot be confined
to its original habitat. This specific, genetic pollution threatens
the diversity of the planet's crops. For example, in Mexico, one of
the centres of diversity for maize (corn), wild varieties of maize
are in danger. In addition, if wild plants such as weeds crossbreed
with herbicide resistant GE crops, they have the potential to form
'superweeds' that are resistant to herbicide.