Transgenic crops can persist for generations.

• Position: Genetic Traits - Brief Article

Genetic traits passed from crops to their weedy relatives can persist for at least six generations, and probably much longer, according to an Ohio State University, Columbus, study conducted with radishes. This means genetic traits that are developing in crops--such as resistance to insect pests--can become a permanent part of the weed population, in turn posing possible risks to crops. These results suggest that biotech companies should steer clear of developing transgenic radish varieties with beneficial traits that could be passed on to weeds, maintains professor of ecology Allison Snow, a coauthor of the study.

Transgenic crops are engineered with specialized traits such as resistance to viral diseases, insect pests, and herbicides. While the new hybrid weeds may not be as fit at first as their wild parents, they seem to regain...