Canola - Genetic Modification Issues

Genetic Modification Issues

A genetically engineered rapeseed that is tolerant to herbicide was first introduced to Canada in 1995. In 2011 96% of the acres sown were genetically modified canola, an increase from 2009, when 90% of the Canadian crop was herbicide-tolerant. As of 2005, 87% of the canola grown in the US was genetically modified. A 2010 study conducted in North Dakota found glyphosate- or glufosinate-resistance transgenes in 80% of wild natural rapeseed plants, and a few plants that were resistant to both herbicides. The escape of the genetically modified plants has raised concerns that the build-up of herbicide resistance in feral canola could make it more difficult to manage these plants using herbicides. However one of the researchers admitted that ".. feral populations could have become established after trucks carrying cultivated GM seeds spilled some of their load during transportation." She also admitted that the GM canola results they found may have been biased as they only sampled alongside roads.

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