March 9, 2010

Technology to keep GM and non-GM crops apart

New technology should see gene flows between GM and non-GM crops curtailed within a few years.

Years of gene flow research showed there have been several instances of genetic material being transferred through pollen and seed movement, according to Oregon State University weed scientist, Professor Carol Mallory Smith.

She says bees, insects and wind movement have all contributed to moving genes out of GM crops into the environment. However, there are very few instances where this has happened across the millions of acres of GM canola, rice and horticultural crops planted in North America, said Smith.

The industry is also developing new technology to address the problem. There are cases of trying to place the trait in the chloroplast, therefore they would not be moved in the pollen. Other suggested technologies are under development, she said.