Monsanto/Bayers GM Plants Contaminate Europe Despite BanSayer Ji A new study published in PLoS titled, Unexpected Diversity of Feral Genetically Modified Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) Despite a Cultivation and Import Ban in Switzerland, is believed to be the first report of its kind showing that despite a cultivation and seed import ban of genetically modified (GM) oilseed rape in Switzerland, Monsanto and Bayers GM plants have been introduced into the environment there, confirming fears that once the GM genie has been let out of the bottle it cannot be put back. The GM plants were found growing freely along railway lines and in port areas at four sites in 2011 and 2012, with the most afflicted being the Rhine port of Basel and the St. Johann freight railway station in Basel, Switzerland. The glyphosate-resistant GM plants were identified as Monsantos Roundup-Ready GM event GT73. Additionally, the researchers found the glufosinate-resistant GM events MS8xRF3, MS8 and RF3 (all traded as InVigor, Bayer) at five sampling locations in the Rhine port. They noted that this is, to their knowledge, the first time that Bayers feral MS8xRF3, MS8 or RF3 plants were detected in Europe. Another concerning finding was the discovery of outcrossing (transference of genetic material between differing plant strains) between Monsantos GT73 GM plant and two non-GM oilseed rape plants. This confirms fears that GM plants are capable of transforming conventional and/or organically produced plants into GM ones (i.e. biorape). In fact, the study addresses this possibility directly: What is even more remarkable about the discovery of feral GM plants in Europe is that they have been banned from cultivation: If Switzerland has banned both the cultivation and importation of GM rapeseed plants into the country, how did they end up there? The authors of the study propose the feral GT73 OSR probably originated from spillage of conventional OSR seeds or other seed imports that were contaminated with GM seeds. This raises a larger question: how much of the worlds food supply is now contaminated with GM plant material? As we reported on last year in an article titled, Illegal StarLink GM Corn Resurfaces in Saudi Arabian Food Supply, StarLink maize, the first genetically modified organism to be pulled off the market over a decade ago due to safety concerns, was recently found to be contaminating food products in Saudi Arabia. Also, the recent discovery of illegal Monsanto GMO wheat growing freely in an Oregon field illustrates just how little control and knowledge we have about the extent of contamination of both the biosphere and our food supply. The larger implications of discoveries like these is illegal (unapproved) GM plants may still be produced in the US (accidentally or by intention), and exported domestically and abroad, admixed with conventional and/or organically-certified materials. This article first appeared at GreenMedInfo. Please visit to access their vast database of articles and the latest information in natural health. 