The news that an unlicensed genetically modified (GM) wheat has been found growing on a field in Oregon — almost 10 years after it was supposed to have completely destroyed — sent shivers down my spine…we are now witnessing a real ‘escape-from-the-laboratory’ nightmare and, in a worst-case scenario, the impacts on U.S. agriculture could be truly devastating.
Back in 2010, I wrote about how (USDA-approved) GM canola was escaping the agricultural fields, not only becoming a weed itself, but also passing on its GM herbicide-resistant genes to wild plant relatives. Researchers from the University of Arkansas had established that more than 83 percent of the wild canola plants they found growing wild along roadsides right across North Dakota were positive for GM genes. Some of the plants tested positive for resistance to both glyphosphate (Roundup) and glusfosinate (Liberty). Now, commercial GM canola is sold as resistant to either Roundup or Liberty, not both, so this dual resistance actually evolved in the wild after the plants had escaped.” [emphasis added]
Q: What do you call it when two genetically modified science experiments easily escape on the wind because that’s how nature works and create hybrids together?
A: Open air GMO trials!
When a developer has collected enough evidence that a GE organism poses no more of a plant pest risk than an equivalent non-GE organism, the developer may petition APHIS to determine non-regulated status for the GE organism. If the petition is approved by APHIS, the GE organism may then be introduced into the United States without any further APHIS regulatory oversight.
The type of wheat found (winter wheat) differs from the type Monsanto had been testing [in Oregon] anyway (spring wheat), so there should be absolutely no reason Monsanto’s GM wheat should be found growing anywhere in the state today.
Outcropping or pollen drift is less than .01 percent because the [wheat] pollen is relatively heavy…None of the grain is allowed to go into commerce.