If pollen from a crop derived through biotechnology is carried to a wild relative, are the genes automatically transferred to the wild relative?
No. A number of factors determine whether pollen transfer leads to gene transfer, the most important being the degree of relatedness between the crop and wild relative. Gene transfer depends upon crop pollen fertilizing the egg of the wild plant. Cross-fertilization must lead to the production of hybrid seeds that are fertile and produce offspring for gene flow to occur. These are key examples of the barriers that nature provides to minimize the potential for interbreeding between different plants.
Related Questions
- What is the likelihood the new genes in crops derived through biotechnology will be transferred to wild plants?
- Can herbicide tolerant genes move from crops derived through biotechnology into weeds and create "superweeds?"
- Can cross-pollination occur between crops derived through biotechnology and wild, native plants?
