Playing with plant genes by any method may have risks (Image: Matt Cardy/Getty)
Read our related editorial: GM faces unfair regulation in Europe
A HERBICIDE-resistant variety of oilseed rape (canola) unveiled last week has raised questions about whether its use by farmers in Europe could be as damaging to farmland wildlife as some genetically modified crops. The development also challenges the effectiveness of Europe’s regulations governing the sale of new crop varieties produced by conventional breeding.
Like many genetically modified crops, the new variety can tolerate herbicides. Yet because the variety has been developed by conventional plant-breeding techniques, rather than…
