There are other risks involved with genetic engineering. Genes cantravel to nearby, related plants on their own. This is called geneflow. In 1996 gene flow was discovered to be much more common thatpreviously thought. According to Science magazine, many ecologistssay it is only a matter of time before an engineered gene makes theleap to a weedy species, thus creating a new weed or invigorating anold one.
Most people are opposed to genetic engineering.
Of course there is resistance to this because the GMcompanies believe correctly that the majority of people would not buyGM food if it were clearly labelled. In the U.S., every other foodcarries a label listing its important ingredients, with theremarkable exception of genetically engineered foods. There is another side to this difficulty in identifying what hasbeen GM modified. If GM foods can not be identified this will preventepidemiologists from being able to trace health effects, should anyappear, because no one will know who has been exposed to novel geneproducts and who has not. This also applies to GM crops fed tolivestock.