Is co-existence and/or containment of genetically modified plants possible, and is it important?

Abstract

Co-existence and containment of genetically modified (GM) plants has been a contentious issue since GM technologies were first commercially released in the mid-1990s. In the first decade of commercial GM plant use, there were a significant number of contamination incidents resulting from GM presence in non-GM crops and seed, some with a significant financial penalty. However, these types of incidents seem to be less frequent in recent times. Co-existence regulations and guidance have been developed in many countries and can occur with appropriate planning and communication within farming communities. This appears to be working effectively since countries with the largest areas devoted to organic agriculture also have amongst the highest land area used for GM crops. Strategies for effective co-existence include both on-farm management decisions and downstream segregation during processing of products, including seed for sowing in the supply chain. Co-existence on-farm is important and is reliant on agronomic strategies such as planting times, crop placement, separation distances and physical containment to limit pollen dispersal and seed movement, which could be assisted by using biological/molecular containment through genetic manipulation to disrupt the pollination and fertilisation process. Co-existence of GM and non-GM crops has been and is possible.