On Tue, 3 Jan 2006, Gerhard Fiedler wrote:

> I'm not sure I understand you correctly, but it seems you agree with me
> that with those numbers, it is pretty certain that those uncontrolled
> crossover effects will happen.

Most GM and other 'supplied' seed plants are incapable of reproduction 
in the 2nd generation (the one that ends up on the fields). This is also 
true for most non-GM plant seeds supplied to farmers. The producers 
would not want the farmers to set up their own seed factory after buying 
once ...

So the problem is reduced to cross polination. Wheat is said to cross 
polinate up to 5%. Whith what ? With wild wheat for example, or another 
sufficiently related species (which is very likely to try to live where 
the GM wheat lives). Wild wheat would not be incapable of reproduction, 
so you may end up with some particularly hardy wild wheat (that nobody 
wants). This is just an example, and maybe not a good one.

Peter
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist