Glyphosate tolerant weeds started to grow uncontrollably requiring the use of greater quantities of pesticides than was necessary conventionally. [Branford, Sue] Gene Contamination

Another problem is the increasing possibility of gene pollution on traditional crops by GM crops. In a brief article, which discusses the health dangers of genetically modified foods, the author cites a recent study by the UCS (Union of Concerned Scientists). In the study, which analyzed samples of conventionally grown crops such as maize, soybeans and canola, it was found that more than half of the seeds were contaminated to some level. As the report indicated the samples under study were, "pervasively contaminated with low levels of DNA sequences from GM varieties." [: Pearce, Fred] a clear example of this type of contamination is the shocking finding that traditional Mexican maize had genetically engineered genes. This problem will be more dangerous if pharming crops contaminate conventional crops. As microbiologist Margaret Mellon who was part of the study says, "If genes find their way from pharm crops to ordinary corn, they or their products could wind up in drug-laced cornflakes," [: Pearce, Fred]. So, the big difficulty before us is to avoid the possibility of GM crops getting mixed up with Non-GM crops. Given that pollens can travel up to 10 kilometers or more it is really a difficult task to separate GM from Non-GM farms.

Sustainable Agriculture

One of the suggested advantages of farming GM food crops was that they are sustainable. However the results from Argentina have proved that in the long run GM farming only results in increased use of pesticides, which destroy beneficial bacteria in the soil and thus affect the soil fertility. Though in the case of Argentina sustained monoculturing practice (GM Soya) might have contributed to loss of soil fertility, it is still undeniable that the increased pesticide use necessitated by the...

There remains no doubt as to the beneficial uses of 'pharm crops' or developing 'gene therapy' for better disease control and management. However, the largely uncontrollable nature of these genetic experiments risk the possibility of an ecological and environmental disaster. It is not to be forgotten that there is only a thin line that divides the beneficial use of GM food technology from becoming a genetically engineered catastrophe. (the case of Argentina) Though it is undeniable that at the theoretical level genetic engineering techniques offer a huge promise they are ridden with grave dangers at the practical level. While harnessing genetic engineering techniques to boost productivity it must be remembered that the effects of gene pollution are irreversible in nature. Thus, stringent safety control measures are required before we start to consider the possibility of sustainable and profitable application of these revolutionary techniques.
Bibliography

1) John Pickrell, "GM Organisms," New Scientist, Special Report, 13/12/2004

2) Branford, Sue, "Argentina's Bitter Harvest," New Scientist, 4/17/2004,

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3) Pierce, Fred, "Gene Pollution is Pervasive," New Scientist, 2/28/2004,

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4) UCS, "Genetic Engineering techniques," Accessed on February 22nd 2005, http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/wf/tutorials/GMOs/Annex%202.htm