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U.S. herbicide-resistant transgenic plants flee for the first time
In a recent report by *New Scientist*, a mysterious grass found in rural Oregon has raised concerns among scientists and environmental agencies. This grass, which is not native to the area, is not clearly classified as an invasive species either. In fact, it's a genetically modified plant—specifically, a type of bentgrass that was originally developed for use on golf courses. However, it has now escaped into the wild, prompting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to initiate its first-ever comprehensive environmental impact assessment of a genetically modified plant.
This incident marks a significant moment in the history of biotechnology in the United States. The transgenic bentgrass, engineered by The Scotts Company in Marysville, Ohio, contains a bacterial gene that makes it resistant to the herbicide glufosinate. The company intended for this grass to be used on golf courses, allowing course managers to effectively eliminate weeds without damaging the turf. However, before the USDA officially approved the plant, it had already "escaped" into the surrounding environment.
Researchers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including Jayett Mann and his team in Corvallis, Oregon, discovered that 9 out of 20,400 samples collected within a 4.8-kilometer radius contained the transgenic grass. Some of these plants were found as far as 3.8 kilometers away from the original planting site. The study also revealed that the grass spreads not only through pollination but also through seed dispersal, making it even more difficult to control.
Unlike most genetically modified crops such as soybeans, corn, or canola, which are annual plants and harvested once a year, bentgrass is a perennial. Once established, it can grow year after year, increasing the risk of long-term environmental impact. Moreover, bentgrass has many wild relatives in the U.S., raising concerns that the herbicide-resistant gene could potentially spread to other plant species.
Reitman, one of the researchers involved, warned that this case serves as a cautionary tale for future genetically modified organisms. He believes there may be more instances like this in the future. His findings will be published in the *Molecular Ecology* journal later this month. If the USDA approves the grass for widespread use, golf course managers across the country would have to replace their lawns, leading to a potential rapid spread of the plant beyond controlled areas.
Once established in natural habitats or along drainage systems, this grass could become hard to eradicate due to its resistance to herbicides. While the USDA has not yet classified it as a harmful weed, the possibility of genetic contamination with other grass varieties remains a concern, especially since Oregon is a major center for commercial grass seed production.
Eric Baker, a researcher at Indiana University, commented that this discovery highlights a new challenge in the field of genetic modification. “We didn’t anticipate this kind of scenario with previous GM crops,†he said. However, scientists remain uncertain about the full ecological impact of this grass in the wild.
As the USDA continues its environmental review, questions remain about how long the process will take and what the final outcome will be. Meanwhile, public awareness of this issue is still low. As Baker noted, people generally don’t show much concern about genetically modified foods, and it’s unlikely they’ll worry about lawns or golf courses. Still, this case underscores the need for careful monitoring and regulation of genetically modified organisms in the environment.