How does genetic engineering affect the environment?
Unlike previous pollution genetically engineered crops are living organisms, they can reproduce and spread. This poses an ongoing threat to the environment. If something goes wrong this GE pollution cannot simply be recalled or cleaned up. Ecologists believe that the release of these unpredictable organisms could have far reaching consequences in much the same way that non-native species such as the cane toad have become pests. Such effects may only emerge after a few generations. Persistent GE crops may cross with related weeds to become ‘superweeds’ – particularly vigorous weeds that outcompete other plants and destroy natural plant ecosystems. GE crops produce seed and pollen which can contaminate other crops and also soil. Soil is extremely complex and there is already some evidence that GE crops have affected the fertility of soil. One type of GE crops designed to produce their own insecticide have been shown to be harmful to the larvae of butterflies, to ladybirds and other impor
