Gone to Seed (2004)
Transgenic Contaminants in the Traditional Seed Supply
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Laboratory testing of traditional (non-GE) seeds of corn, soybeans, and canola commissioned by UCS documents the presence of DNA commonly used in commercial GE crops.
These findings suggest inadequate federal standards to protect our seed supply and our food from harmful contaminants like those originating in pharmaceutical ("pharma") and industrial crops.
Featured Contents
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- Gone to Seed press release
- A special word to consumers of organic food
How Seed Contamination Can Occur
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What Kinds of Substances Are Being Engineered into Pharma and Industrial Crops?
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Recommendations
Gone to Seed found that seeds thought to be free of GE material are in fact pervasively contaminated. Based on these findings, we are concerned that the seed supply is inadequately protected from contamination by pharma/industrial crops.
UCS recommends that the federal government immediately take the following steps to address seed supply contamination and prevent seed contamination by pharma/industrial crops:
- sponsor a follow-up study to determine the extent, causes, and impacts of the problem;
- promptly revise the pharma and industrial crop regulations to protect the seed supply; and
- commit to establishing a reservoir of pure, non-engineered seeds.
