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Genetically Modified Canola Spreads To Wild Plants
eldavojohn writes "A research team conducting a survey has found that about 86% of wild canola plants in North Dakota have genetically modified genes in them, and 'two samples contained multiple genes from different species of genetically modified plants.' Canola usually has little competition when cultivated but does not fare well in the wild. The Roundup Ready and Liberty Link strains of genetically modified canola appear to be crossing over to wild plants and helping it survive. The University of Arkansas team claims that the ease in which genetically modified canola has 'escaped' into the wild should be noted by seed makers like Monsanto because this is proof that it will happen."
Reader n4djs notes that Monsanto has been known to sue farmers for patent infringement when their crops unintentionally contain genetically modified plants.
>>>It's not patent infringement, it's willful theft of DNA that is the property of Monsanto.
For those who think this is a joke, go watch the video "Food Inc" especially the second half. They interview a number of farmers who did nothing wrong, but were sued by Monsanto because their DNA-modified lants had cross-pollinated with the natural wheat (or corn or soy plants). These farmers were driven into bankruptcy trying to defend themselves (according to the video).
It's equivalent to if RIAA started mailing-out copies of songs to random people's computers, and then sued that person for "possession of intellectual property", even though said person did nothing wrong.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
Actually, Znork, nearly hit the head of the nail in his answer to CCD (minus the joke about the restraining order).
Australian research has shown that Bees that collect pollen from genetically modified plants that were modified to contain the genes for Bacillus thuringiensis (aka Bt) often experience an autoimmune response (i.e an allergic reaction). Bt kills certain species of caterpillar, a really pest for food growers. The Bt does not kill the bees, but in some, the Bt pollen engenders an auto-immune response.
Unfortunately, the auto-immune response disorientes the Bee and it has a difficult time finding its way back to the hive. This is the critical part for if the worker bee cannot get back to the hive within a certain time frame, it dies. One of the symptoms of CCD is that Bees go missing from the Hive.
More recent research ( http://www.commonground.ca/iss/225/PDFs/earthday6.pdf ) is further highlighting the link to the Bt gene in the modified crops as the cause of the Bee disappearance. So yes Monsanto is harming the Bees in unintended ways.
Here is the real nightmare scenerio as a result, if the world looses its population of pollinating insects, some experts predict that humans will be on a quick path to extinction as our current global food production systems still rely heavily on this aspect of the Natural World.
Food for though (pardon the pun!).