Could genetically modified plants throw the eco-system off-balance?
Genetically modified plants (most of them are presently crop plants) are designed to differ from their traditional counterparts only by the presence of one set of genes coding for proteins which are responsible for the trait of interest (e.g. insect resistance or herbicide tolerance) and its proper regulation. If the novel trait does not give to the plant a high selection advantage (for its survival and/or dispersal) the transgenic plant is considered as being unlikely to cause an adverse effect on the environment. A nicotine-free tobacco would probably fall in this category. In contrast, the concern is serious for any novel plant variety introduced in a new environment, no matter whether produced by genetic engineering or by classical breeding techniques. If it improves the adaptation to the environmental conditions (resistance to drought for example), the transfer of the resistance to wild plants could generate new invasive weeds. The deliberate release of organisms into a new enviro
