I have the free version of Science On-line (summaries only), and so can't link to the full article, but here's the abstract:
June 28 2002, 296 (5577) Gene Flow in the Field ----------------------------------------------------- A field study of the extent of gene flow from genetically modified plants into surrounding crops through cross-pollination is presented by Rieger et al. (p. 2386; see the news story by Stokstad). A strain of canola (rapeseed oil) modified to be resistant to herbicides was first grown commercially in Australia in 2000. An analysis of surrounding fields across widely dispersed geographical samples revealed a low level of cross-pollination between canola fields. The range of long-distance pollination was more random than expected. ------------------------------------------------------- The notion of 'controlling' any robust, reproducing species in the field seems to me ludicrous. Nutria in Louisiana, cane toads in Australia, golden snails in Vietnam...spurge (among many others) in the US West, kudzu in the US South - the list is extensive. And now we're adding GM flora and fauna to the mix? _Especially_ herbicide and antibiotic resistant ones?! Of course some (perhaps most) of the non-resistant GMs should not have a significant impact, but if introduced foreign species are any guide, a few _would_. Maybe 'lethal genes,' like the one causing the Jem Ha'dar's dependence on Ketracel White (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), could be inserted to prevent that possibility... I'm not trying to point to a falling sky, but here are some sites that show it's sagging in places: A UN site, with extensive link-outs: http://www.unep.org/Documents/Default.asp?DocumentID= 193&ArticleID=2787 (you'll nave to manually key in that lower line) A site about US problem 'aliens:' http://www.gcio.org/CONSEQUENCES/vol2no2/article2.html Weigh The Scales Maru __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Autos - Get free new car price quotes http://autos.yahoo.com
