What are the effects of transgenic crops on conventional and organic farming?
The volume and the characteristics of transgenic crops being grown in some countries as well as the natural conditions of wind or rain are possible causes of exposure of conventional or organic crops to traces of GM crops from neighbouring farms. An accidental co-mixing during the handling of seeds is an additional cause with severe consequences for the preservation of identity of related crops. The effects of transgenic crops on other types of agriculture are regarded by proponents of such types as irreversible. Many organic farmers are concerned that an adventitious presence of transgenes may affect their commercial interests. The issue is extremely complex, and long-term effects of the adventitious dissemination of transgenes are still largely unknown. The assessment of the effects of such accidental escape is part of the studies required by national competent authorities for the approval of a new transgenic crop. Such risk assessments are complemented with the description of the sp
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