GM crops gene leakage 'could wipe out wild relatives'

From: "KD Weber"
GM crops gene leakage 'could wipe out wild relatives'

GM crops gene leakage 'could wipe out wild relatives'
FULL STORY: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_802455.html?menu=

Genetically modified crops could easily spread their genes and threaten the
survival of related wild plants, according to a study. Computer models show that
pollen from crop fields can rapidly contaminate wild relatives, even under
normal conditions. As a result, wild species may be swamped by weak hybrids that
reproduce poorly and cause their population size to shrink. At the same time,
potentially valuable genetic traits could be lost for ever. Dr Ralph Haygood,
from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who led the research, said: "You don't
need high rates of pollen flow or strongly favoured traits. Crop genes, even
deleterious ones, can easily become common in wild populations within 10 to 20
generations."