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Question

were learning about this in school and i wanted to ask if gm foods could get to out of hand and be a potential risk to our environment

Submitted by: will shaffer


Answer

Expert response from Kevin Folta

Professor and Chairman, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida

Thursday, 09/10/2014 18:24

You raise an important point, because nobody wants to create a plant, GMO or not, that might cause ecological issues like becoming invasive. This is why evaluation by EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is so critical in transgenic (GMO) plant deregulation, and why the process takes so long. Those improving plant genetics by breeding or biotech are sensitive to the environment, so just about every new plant, GM or from traditional breeding, is carefully evaluated for potential invasiveness. This can be an issue for sure with certain grasses and cereal crops, which currently are not GMO. We still have committees that discuss new releases and ask the breeders for data to ensure they have no likelihood of breaking containment.

 

The other important point to consider is that the traits engineered into plants are typically herbicide or insect resistance. The herbicide-resistance gene is useful only in the presence of the herbicide, and insect-resistance genes tend to protect the final plant product more than the plant itself. In other words, these minor modifications are added to an elite plant foundation that determines plant fitness much more than an added transgene. In short, cultivated plants need TLC. Even with transgenes, they have a hard time competing against native species that compete better for limited resources.

 

It is a good question and an important one. Thanks for asking.

Answer

Expert response from Kevin Folta

Professor and Chairman, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida

Thursday, 09/10/2014 18:24

You raise an important point, because nobody wants to create a plant, GMO or not, that might cause ecological issues like becoming invasive. This is why evaluation by EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is so critical in transgenic (GMO) plant deregulation, and why the process takes so long. Those improving plant genetics by breeding or biotech are sensitive to the environment, so just about every new plant, GM or from traditional breeding, is carefully evaluated for potential invasiveness. This can be an issue for sure with certain grasses and cereal crops, which currently are not GMO. We still have committees that discuss new releases and ask the breeders for data to ensure they have no likelihood of breaking containment.

 

The other important point to consider is that the traits engineered into plants are typically herbicide or insect resistance. The herbicide-resistance gene is useful only in the presence of the herbicide, and insect-resistance genes tend to protect the final plant product more than the plant itself. In other words, these minor modifications are added to an elite plant foundation that determines plant fitness much more than an added transgene. In short, cultivated plants need TLC. Even with transgenes, they have a hard time competing against native species that compete better for limited resources.

 

It is a good question and an important one. Thanks for asking.