A University of North Carolina study last month reveals that genetically engineered plants can pass on the same level of toxicity to insects even when the plants are cross-bred with natural, non-GE plants. Many environmentalists are worried about genetically engineered crops because they think superweeds may develop. The UNC study gives weight to that concern. The study "shows that GM crops can irreversibly pass on their genes to wild plants and contaminate our natural heritage," Greenpeace spokesman Benn Alyffe told the Reuters news service. "Once we release genetically modified crops there's no going back. The genie is out of the bottle." In the lab experiment, oilseed rape (canola) containing an anti-pest gene was cross-pollinated with its natural relative, birdseed rape. Five of 11 resulting hybrids "expressed the insecticide produced by the gene at levels similar to the GM parent and were highly toxic to insects," according to New Scientist magazine. The Campaign Reporter, 12/02 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.