Genetic pollution

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.

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Genetic contamination could result in superweeds resistent to pesticides.

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.