In 2001, New Scientist reported that genetically modified (GM) oilseed rape being grown in Canada had been known to 'escape' and grow as a weed. The majority of these weeds were resistant to broad-spectrum weedkillers such as glyphosate. The magazine also reported that some crops had even acquired resistance to several varieties of herbicide by cross-breeding with modified crops that were resistant to other chemicals. image expired

Yesterday it emerged that, 10 years after New Scientist published its findings on resistant weeds, similar 'stacked' hybrid oilseed rape weeds have been found in the USA. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America, being held this week in Austin, Texas, Meredith Schafer of the University of Arkansas reported that she had identified oilseed rape growing wild in North Dakota which was resistant both to glyphosate, sold by Monsanto as Roundup, and to glufosinate, sold by Bayer Cropscience as LibertyLink.

Schafer posited that this could have happened through cross-pollination between farmers planting the two companies' crops, which then passed on both resistant genes 'naturally.' She believes that this is the most likely scenario, as neither company would engineer resistance to a rival's weedkiller in their own plants. Schafer explained, "It could have happened if one farmer planted glyphosate-resistant canola [oilseed rape], and his neighbour planted glufosinate-resistant canola, for example."

While Schafer said "this is not a huge problem yet," she called for further investigation and research into the phenomenon, as the transference could spawn weeds with resistance to multiple weedkillers and potentially affect traditional growers' crops.

In March 270,000 organic and traditional growers in the USA filed a lawsuit against seed and chemical giant Monsanto. The lawsuit, the first of its kind, is a pre-emptive effort to protect themselves from legal action should their fields become contaminated with neighbours' GM crops. The farmers fear such contamination could lead to patent- infringement claims being made against them by Monsanto, which maintains that its biotech seeds are its intellectual property.

The plaintiffs, who filed their lawsuit through Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) on 29th March, also challenged the legality of Monsanto's patents for genetically modified seeds, claiming 23 Monsanto patents are invalid as they are in fact variations of expired patents.

Monsanto today announced it would begin trials of its 'drought-resistant' maize in the United States. The company said it hoped to begin trials of its new seed next spring. The seed is the first of its kind, being genetically engineered to cope with harsher environmental conditions. Until now, all genetically engineered plants have been designed to resist pests or tolerate the company's herbicide.

China announces GM plantings are years away

China Daily today reported that Genetically modified food is unlikely to be commercially available in China for at least another three to five years. Huang Jikun, director of the Center for Chinese Agriculture Policy at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told the newspaper, despite the Chinese government investing large sums of money in the technology further testing is still necessary.

According to Jikun, the reason for the delay is the need for extensive regional trials of the technology. In 2009, when the Ministry of Agriculture issued safety certificates for production of GM rice and maize, the move sparked widespread criticism in the media which raised questions over food safety and their impact on biodiversity and ecology.

Although the government and many experts in China support the development of GM technology, and GM cotton is commercially grown in the country, several experts still believe further commercialisation is currently unnecessary and potentially carries risks.

Jing Fei, a seed expert at Bohai University in Liaoning province, said China did not need to approve the commercialisation of GM food over the next few years as yields in the country have risen for seven consecutive years without its use.

Fei believes the government should err on the side of caution and conduct further research into GM technology. He said that, while there was no proof that GM foods are harmful to human health, current medical technology cannot absolutely guarantee its safety. Speaking to China Daily he concluded, "The government should postpone commercialization for as long as possible. This would not affect scientists, as long as the government continues its support for GM technology research. With the current technology, China's food production can easily meet demand in the near future."