Oaxacan Corn: Scientists Worry GE Crops Will Jump Into Pure Crop DNA Sandi Doughton - The Seattle Times
go to original October 20, 2013

Another ecological worry about GE crops seemed to have come true with a vengeance in 2000. American scientists reported that maize from the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico — the birthplace of corn and home to several, revered traditional varieties — contained bits of DNA from GE corn.

The study raised a furor and was later disavowed by the journal that published it. One follow-up survey found no evidence of transgenic contamination, but another reported traces in 1 percent of more than 100 fields sampled.

If GE genes aren’t already in Mexican maize, it’s probably just a matter of time, said Steve Strauss, professor and biotechnology outreach coordinator at Oregon State University. He just doesn’t see it as much to worry about.

Genes jump all the time between conventionally bred crops and other species, he said. Genes from conventionally grown maize in Mexico jumped into teosinte, corn’s wild ancestor. In the Pacific Northwest, genes from wheat conventionally bred to be herbicide-resistant have shown up in jointed goat grass, a weedy relative.

Read the rest at YakimaHerald.com

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!