The establishment of genetically engineered canola populations in the US

Journal or Publishing Institution: PLoS One

Study: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0025736

Author(s): Schafer, M.G., Ross, A.A., Londo, J.P., Burdick, C.A., Lee, E.H., Travers, S.E., Van de Water, P.K. and Sagers, C.L.

Article Type: Peer Reviewed Study

Record ID: 2285

Abstract: Concerns regarding the commercial release of genetically engineered (GE) crops include naturalization, introgression to sexually compatible relatives and the transfer of beneficial traits to native and weedy species through hybridization. To date there have been few documented reports of escape leading some researchers to question the environmental risks of biotech products. In this study we conducted a systematic roadside survey of canola (Brassica napus) populations growing outside of cultivation in North Dakota, USA, the dominant canola growing region in the U.S. We document the presence of two escaped, transgenic genotypes, as well as non-GE canola, and provide evidence of novel combinations of transgenic forms in the wild. Our results demonstrate that feral populations are large and widespread. Moreover, flowering times of escaped populations, as well as the fertile condition of the majority of collections suggest that these populations are established and persistent outside of cultivation.

Keywords: Brassica napus var. oleifera, Brassicales, plants, genetically engineered organisms, genotypes, rape, risk assessment, swede rape, transgenic plants, weeds, canola, Capparales, genetically engineered plants, genetically modified organisms, genetically modified plants, GEOs, GMOs, oilseed rape, transgenic organisms, United States of America, Genetically modified foods, Environment, Hybridization, Biotechnology, Brassica, Brassica napus, Data Collection, Genetically Modified Food, United States, Genetics, Growth & Development, Statistics & Numerical Data

Citation: Schafer, M.G., Ross, A.A., Londo, J.P., Burdick, C.A., Lee, E.H., Travers, S.E., Van de Water, P.K. and Sagers, C.L., 2011. The establishment of genetically engineered canola populations in the US. PLoS One, 6(10), p.e25736.