TRANSFER OF ENGINEERED GENES FROM CROP TO WILD PLANTS

The escape of engineered genes - genes inserted using recombinant DNA techniques - from cultivated plants to wild or weedy relatives has rai sed concern about possible risks to the environment or to health. The media have added considerably to public concern by suggesting that suc h gene escape is a new and rather unexpected phenomenon. However, tran sfer of engineered genes between plants is not at-all surprising, beca use it is mediated by exactly the same mechanisms as those responsible for transferring endogenous plant genes: it takes place by sexual cro sses, with pollen as the carrier, Such sexual reproduction has been th e basis for breeding almost all crops.