[TheForge] OT: GM foods OT:

[dann at wctatel.net]

Bruce,

Actually there already are quite a few Roundup Ready weeds. It is more of
a problem in the Southern states, with their longer growing seasons,  but
according to news articles written last year, the problem is working its
way North into Illiois.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/2010-06-21-roundup-weeds_N.htm

Like the build up of antibiotic resistence, Roundup resistence can be a
process of natural selection, rather than genes jumping from plant species
naturally via the viral vectors.

When many millions of acres  of crops are sprayed with the same herbicide
year after year, the weeds that are a bit mature for a good kill when
sprayed, and don't die.. or those weeds on the edge of the fields that get
a dosage insuffiecnt to kill, can put out a few feeble seeds that become
more resistent in subsequent generations.


Also of note that once a group of genes has been target vectored in the
lab... The cross species plant virus responsible, reportedly have an
easier time at moving these gene groups to other new plant species.

Dann


Bruce wrote:
> I'm no expert and don't want get in the middle of this, but I DON'T
> see the argument here about genes migrating between plant species.
> Soybeans and corn are "Roundup  Ready" today.  Maybe ragweed, or worse
> weeds, will be "Roundup  Ready" tomorrow!  This happens.  Monsanto
> doesn't want to admit it happens, but it happens.