When foreign genes are introduced into an organism, creating a transgenic organism or GMO, the results are almost always unpredictable. As the site says, "The intended result may or may not be achieved in any given case, but the one almost sure thing is that unintended results—nontarget effects—will also be achieved ... These facts have been, and are being, widely reported in the scientific literature. While they are correcting our understanding in important ways, they are not at all controversial."
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Erik Hoffner Posted 12:37 am
26 Jan 2009
Manipulated Organism: Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.).
Inserted Transgenes and Target Effect: CP4 EPSPS gene derived from the common soil bacterium Agrobacterium sp. (strain CP4) to convey resistance to the herbicide glyphosate. The gene was fused to the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV-35S) promoter so that the gene would be expressed in all parts of the plant. Creeping bentgrass is a widely used golf course grass. Monsanto and Scotts Company developed the herbicide-resistant variety with this market in mind.
Results of these Studies: The transgene escaped into the wild by seeds (which are very small and light - about 13,500 seeds weigh one gram) and by pollen.
Watrud et al. (2004) found that the herbicide-resistance transgene spread via pollen to an area up to 21 km (13 miles) beyond the control area perimeter and had pollinated wild creeping bentgrass as well as a close relative (redtop, Agrostis gigantean). 53% of the creeping bentgrass plants investigated had offspring that were herbicide-resistant; most of these plants were found in a 2.1 km (1.3 mi.) area outside and downwind of the control area.
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