-Caveat Lector- >From http://www.guardian.co.uk/gmdebate/Story/0,2763,774794,00.html
Scientists shocked at GM gene transfer Paul Brown, environment correspondent Thursday August 15, 2002 The Guardian Weeds have become stronger and fitter by cross-breeding with genetically modified crops, leading to fears that superweeds which are difficult or impossible to control may invade farms growing standard crops. Two separate teams, one working on sunflowers in the US and the other on sugar beet in France, have shown weeds and GM food crops readily swapping genes. In the case of wild sunflowers, classed as "weed" varieties in America, specimens became hardier and produced 50% more seeds if they were crossed with GM sunflowers which had been programmed to be resistant to seed-nibbling moth lavae. Allison Snow, who headed the team at Ohio State University, confessed in New Scientist that she was "shocked" by the results. "It does not prove all GM crops are dangerous," she said. "I just think we need to be careful because genes can be very valuable for a weed and persist for ever once they are out there." Pioneer Hi-Bred, which developed the GM sunflower, has abandoned the idea of selling the strain commercially. The sugar beet results show that wild and GM varieties swapped genes, sometimes to the advantage of the wild varieties and the detriment of the GM plants, which produced lower yields. Writing in the Journal of Applied Ecology, the University of Lille team said they had underestimated the likelihood of GM beets swapping genes with the beet weeds that grow among them. The two sets of results add to the fears of environmental groups and organic farmers that normal crops could be contaminated by GM varieties - and make weeds impossible to control. This is less of a problem in countries where crops have been introduced, for instance soya grown the US, because no native weed varieties exist. But in Europe, particularly in Britain, where weed species of both beet and oil seed rape exist, the risk is potentially serious. Adrian Bebb, GM campaigner at the environmental group Friends of the Earth, said GM beet was now being grown at 16 farm-scale trial sites in England. "Once again scientists are discovering new impacts of GM crops," he said. "The government always emphasises the importance of a sound scientific approach to GM crop safety, so they should look at this research seriously and question whether or not we should be testing GM crops out of doors." Two years ago government research reported that GM crops could cross-pollinate with ordinary crops over larger distances than had been thought. The government is in its final year of trials to investigate the effect of growing GM crops on the countryside. Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2002 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A<>E<>R + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Forwarded as information only; I don't believe everything I read or send (but that doesn't stop me from considering it; obviously SOMEBODY thinks it's important) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." --- Ernest Hemingway <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
