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German-based non-profit says transgenes from species such as bentgrass,
oilseed rape and cotton have already escaped permanently into the
environment or wild populations
Genetically modified (GM) maize, rice, cotton, oilseed rape,
bentgrass and poplar trees are spreading uncontrollably in countries
such as the US, Canada, middle America, Japan, China, Australia and
Europe. In many cases the plants have escaped far beyond the fields into
the environment and in some regions the transgenes have already moved
into population of wild relatives, according to findings released by a
non-profit.
The findings are part of a report—Transgene escape-Global atlas of
uncontrolled spread of genetically engineered plants—that was released
in Munich, Germany. The report has been put together by Testbiotech, a
non-profit founded in 2008 by a group of experts (mostly scientists) to
promote independent research and public debate on impacts of
biotechnology.
The report documents several case studies which show genetically
engineered plants have spread uncontrolled into the environment. “In
some instances in north and middle America, we can assume that
transgenes from species such as bentgrass, oilseed rape and cotton have
already escaped permanently into the environment or wild populations,”
the report states.
In the case of GM maize (corn), rice and poplar, there is a high
likelihood that this will happen in the near future. Apart from
commercial cultivation and experimental field trials, there are cases
showing that the uncontrolled dispersal of genetically engineered plants
can be because of import of raw materials and transport of viable
grains for food and feed production, the report states.
According to information, genetically engineered plants were grown on
170 million hectares globally in 2012. The plants were mostly soybean,
oilseed rape, maize (corn) and cotton. Nearly all of them had two
technical traits: herbicide tolerance and/or production of insecticidal
proteins.
Authored by Andreas Bauer-Panskus, Sylvia Hamberger and Christoph
Then, the report says there are various reasons for transgene escape.
Apart from commercial cultivation and experimental field trials, losses
from the import and transport of viable grains for food and feed
production are a source of uncontrolled dispersal. The consequences
cannot be reliably predicted, and from the cases documented in the
overview it is evident that no prediction can be made on how these
plants will behave in the long-term or interact with biodiversity.
“EU Commissioner Tonio Borg who is currently pushing for the
authorisation of genetically engineered plants in the EU, should be
aware of the consequences of this technology on a global scale,” says
Christoph Then. “We need regulations to ensure that release of GE
organisms is prohibited unless they can be removed from the environment
if required,” he adds. The report is supported by Gregor Louisoder
Umweltstiftung.
